Business · Philippines Bureau
Ex-Pampanga congressman faces three graft counts over DPWH contracts
The Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft charges against former Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr., accusing him of using his legislative position to benefit construction firms that won Department of Public Works and Highways projects.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman filed three counts of graft charges Friday against former Pampanga Representative Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr. at the Sandiganbayan over alleged irregularities involving infrastructure contracts during his tenure in Congress.
The charges stem from accusations that Gonzales improperly facilitated the awarding of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) contracts to construction firms with which he allegedly maintained undisclosed links. Ombudsman investigators determined that the former lawmaker used his official position to influence the procurement process in favor of select contractors.
The informations were formally entered into the court record Friday as prosecutors detailed the alleged scheme spanning multiple construction projects. The case will now proceed through the judicial process at the anti-graft court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over corruption cases involving public officials.
Gonzales has not yet issued a public statement regarding the charges. The investigation represents one of several graft prosecutions the Ombudsman has pursued against former lawmakers accused of conflicts of interest involving government contracts awarded during their service in office.