Philippines Ombudsman suspends DPWH officials over corruption allegations

The Philippine Ombudsman has issued preventive suspensions against several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials involving two separate corruption scandals.

In Davao Occidental, three officials, including James Ryan A. Jabonero, Jonathan O. Relacion, and Zesrel P. Cuga, have been suspended for up to six months. This follows allegations of ghost farm-to-market road projects worth over P94 million. The Department of Agriculture reported that some projects were declared 100% complete and fully paid despite remaining unfinished or showing no evidence of work. Several other respondents in this case have already left government service or been dismissed.

In Bulacan, five project engineers from the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office have been placed under six-month preventive suspension without pay. They face charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and gross neglect of duty regarding three flood control projects in Baliuag valued at approximately P188.89 million. The Ombudsman alleges that documents related to implementation, inspection, and payment were falsified to create a false impression of compliance and facilitate contract awards.