MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has received two separate criminal complaints against 20 officials, employees and private individuals over alleged anomalies in two flood control projects in Cebu, the latest cases in the government’s widening crackdown on questionable flood control works.
DOJ spokeman Paolo Martinez dislosed on Tuesday that the complaints, filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Cebu District Office, targetted engineers and personnel of the DPWH Cebu 3rd District Engineering Office, along with private individuals allegedly involved in the bidding and implementation of two anomalous flood control projects in Barangay Singsing, Balamban, Cebu.
Martinez said the first complaint was filed on July 29, 2026 while a second complaint involving the same respondents and charges—but covering another flood control project—was later received by the department.
The respondents face seven criminal charges: technical malversation, malversation of public funds, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, perjury, falsification of public documents, falsification by private individuals and use of falsified documents, and violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act.
Martinez stressed that the complaints were still under preliminary investigation and that no finding of criminal liability has yet been made.
“The respondents will have the opportunity to submit counter-affidavits and challenge the evidence before the DOJ resolves the cases,” he said.
The DOJ withheld details on the individual roles of the respondents, saying disclosure at this stage could prejudice the pending proceedings.
Martinez said the Cebu complaints were part of the government’s broader nationwide investigation into alleged flood control anomalies, adding that the DOJ expected more complaints from the NBI and other law enforcement agencies.
He also disclosed that more than ₱800 million has already been recovered and returned to the National Treasury as a result of the ongoing flood control investigations, with additional recoveries expected.
Providing an update on previous cases, Martinez said complaints involving alleged anomalies in flood control projects in Bulacan have moved beyond the DOJ. Cases involving lower-ranking DPWH personnel are now pending before the Regional Trial Court in Quezon City following a transfer of venue, while those involving higher-ranking officials were referred to the Office of the Ombudsman for possible prosecution before the Sandiganbayan.
The DOJ said it would continue evaluating all complaints arising from the nationwide investigation as authorities intensified efforts to hold accountable those responsible for alleged irregularities in government flood control projects.
