Ombudsman probes P60B flood-control spending in Cebu

Local

THE Office of the Ombudsman is examining around ₱60 billion in flood-control projects implemented in Cebu over the past six years, amid questions over the effectiveness and implementation of the projects.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the agency is looking into the province’s flood-control spending after flooding continued to affect several areas despite the substantial government investment.

The initial accounting showed that a large portion of the funds went to Cebu’s 7th District, while about a quarter was allocated to a leading contractor, Remulla said.

This investigation will cover projects across Cebu, including those involving areas affected by flooding in several local government units.

Among the issues being checked are the possibility of ghost projects, duplicate project entries, substandard construction and non-compliance with contract specifications.

Remulla said investigators will use project coordinates and digital tools to verify whether reported flood-control structures were actually built and whether they are located where government records indicate.

The office will also examine the technical specifications of the projects.

Remulla cited flood-control structures requiring sheet piling as an example, saying investigators will determine whether contractors complied with the depths specified in their contracts.

The Ombudsman is likewise looking into the conduct of government personnel and contractors, including possible rigged bidding and the awarding of projects without competitive bidding.

Lifestyle checks on Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineers and other personnel are also being considered as part of the investigation.

Remulla, however, cautioned that the agency would not rush to file cases without sufficient evidence.

He said the Ombudsman Visayas office is expected to file cases but investigators must first establish evidence strong enough to withstand court proceedings.

To strengthen its operations in the region, Remulla said he plans to add 20 lawyers to the Ombudsman Visayas officefor prosecution, fact-finding and preliminary investigations.

He acknowledged that flood-control investigations can be difficult because of the technical details and lengthy contracts involved.

The Ombudsman chief said the agency will also examine possible corruption schemes beyond flood control, particularly cases involving government contractors and conflicts of interest.

Remulla renewed his call for greater transparency in government transactions, including the digital recording and public access of bidding processes from the barangay level to national government agencies.

He said technology could be used to make government transactions more transparent and allow the public to monitor how public funds are being spent.

For the Ombudsman, Remulla said, the broader objective is not simply to prosecute individuals but to address practices that allow corruption to persist in government.

“We have to return to decency,” Remulla said.(MyTVCebu)