World · Philippines Bureau
Ombudsman charges six DPWH officials in P491M road scam
The Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft and malversation charges against six former Department of Public Works and Highways officials over their alleged involvement in a half-billion peso fraud scheme in General Santos City.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman filed charges before the Sandiganbayan on Tuesday against six former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials over their alleged participation in a P491-million "road right-of-way scam" centered in General Santos City.
The charges of graft and malversation were brought following an investigation that established prima facie evidence of wrongdoing by the officials. The case involves irregularities in the acquisition of land rights for road construction projects, according to the Ombudsman's findings.
The investigation revealed a scheme whereby public funds intended for legitimate road development and land acquisition were allegedly diverted through fraudulent transactions. The scam reportedly involved the manipulation of procurement procedures and property valuation processes to benefit private parties at the government's expense.
The Sandiganbayan will now hear the case against the six former DPWH officials. The charges represent part of the Ombudsman's continuing efforts to combat corruption within government infrastructure agencies, which handle substantial public funds annually.