Malversation, graft charges filed vs 2 ex-DPWH execs over GenSan right-of-way scam
The Office of the Ombudsman in the Philippines has filed criminal charges for malversation and graft against two former executives of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), along with four current personnel and seven private individuals. The allegations stem from a fraud scheme involving the acquisition of rights-of-way for the Digos-Makar National Road in General Santos City between 2018 and 2019. Investigators determined that the accused fabricated documents and inflated land compensation claims, resulting in fraudulent payments exceeding 491 million Philippine pesos. The case relies on evidence gathered by the National Bureau of Investigation, including affidavits from witnesses who admitted to colluding with public officials to submit fake acquisition papers. The Ombudsman cited prima facie evidence sufficient for conviction and filed 18 informations for each count before the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court.
A former regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways testified on Thursday that twenty-five percent of funds allocated for infrastructure projects in the 2025 national budget were distributed as commitments, effectively serving as kickbacks to project proponents who included sitting senators. This testimony emerged during the continuation of a bail hearing in a plunder case. While the specific identity of the testifying official was not detailed in the immediate report, the admission highlights a persistent pattern of financial diversion within the agency’s operations. Separately, the Office of the Ombudsman filed criminal charges against two former DPWH executives, four current personnel, and seven private individuals regarding a road right-of-way fraud scheme in General Santos City. In a press statement issued on Sunday, October 25, the Ombudsman announced it had found prima facie evidence supporting the accusations. The accused include Subair Saro Diron, the former regional director for Region 12, and Laureano B. Suan Jr., the former assistant regional director. Also charged are DPWH staff members Tomas Marquez Rodriguez, David Lucena Padlan, Paisal Amerol Padate, and Ansare Mariga Busran. The private respondents named in the filings are Wilma Mamburam, Nelson Ti, Evelyn Paloso, Rudy Hadji Ong, Marisa Seguirre, William Uy, and Paul Michael Bagio. The Ombudsman lodged eighteen informations for malversation of public funds or property through falsification of public documents under Article 217 in relation to Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code. Additionally, the office filed eighteen informations for violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. These cases are pending before the Sandiganbayan, the country’s anti-graft court. Investigations into the General Santos City scandal began after the National Bureau of Investigation submitted three reports to the Ombudsman in 2018 and 2019. The probe focused on DPWH Region 12 payments for the acquisition of eighteen parcels of land required for the Digos-Makar National Road in Lagao. Witness Roberto Catapang Jr. stated in a 2017 affidavit that he participated in a syndicate colluding with public officers to collect government funds using fabricated documents. Investigators determined that the claimants received a total of 491,931,120.20 pesos based on these false papers. The DPWH Region XII technical working group had authorized the disbursement. Officials further noted that investigators discovered the use of a 2009 appraisal value of 3,500 pesos per square meter to calculate compensation for properties originally taken by the government in the early 1990s, which resulted in significantly inflated claims. In a distinct administrative ruling, the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of former Region 12 legal officer Ansare Mariga Busran from her position.
A former Public Works and Highways-Bulacan District Engineer, Henry Alcantara, testified before the Sandiganbayan court that he received a 2% cut as a 'gentle request' ('lambing') from alleged kickbacks linked to former Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy 'Zaldy' Co. This testimony occurred during the bail hearing for former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who faces charges related to alleged kickbacks from infrastructure projects totaling PHP 7.44 billion. Alcantara stated that the initial kickback rate was around 20%, which later increased to 25% during Romualdez's tenure. He explained that these kickbacks came from advance payments by contractors, though he acknowledged the financial risks involved for the contractors.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of a legal proceeding involving allegations of corruption against high-profile political figures. It includes direct quotes from the testimonies and does not exhibit overtly biased language or selective sourcing. The content remains neutral in tone, focusing on
Why factuality (93): The article provides specific details about Alcantara's testimony regarding the 2% 'lambing' cut from Co's alleged kickbacks, citing direct quotes and context from the trial. These claims align with the cross-source consensus found in other articles covering the same event, indicating strong factual
Why objectivity (90): The article presents the information in a largely neutral manner, quoting directly from the testimony and providing context without overt bias. However, the term 'lambing' is explained, which helps maintain clarity and neutrality.
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 90
A state witness identified a 'secret room' within the office of former Public Works-Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara, alleging it was used to count and store funds related to kickbacks. The disclosure was made by Wirt Walter Rosales, who served as Alcantara's personal assistant starting in 2021. Rosales provided this testimony before the Third Division of the Sandiganbayan, the Philippine anti-graft court, during a hearing held on Thursday.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a straightforward report of courtroom testimony regarding corruption allegations against a public official. It uses neutral, factual language ('alleged', 'disclosed', 'testified') and does not employ loaded adjectives, editorialize, or take a stance on the guilt or innocence of
Why factuality: no official source document/info detected
Why objectivity (90): The tone is strictly journalistic and neutral. It uses objective verbs like 'disclosed' and 'testified' and attributes the sensational claim ('secret room') clearly to the witness, avoiding editorializing or taking sides.
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentProgressiveFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 88
An NBI investigative agent testified during a court hearing that kickbacks to lawmakers are a common practice in government infrastructure projects. The testimony was provided by Ivan Bernard Samson, who appeared as the prosecution's first witness before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division. He stated that this practice is considered 'general knowledge' among those involved in such projects. The case appears to involve allegations of corruption related to government contracts.
Bias read (Progressive): The article highlights allegations of corruption involving lawmakers and government projects, which is a politically charged issue. The framing suggests criticism of current governance practices, aligning more with left-leaning perspectives that often emphasize anti-corruption efforts and reform.
Why factuality: no official source document/info detected
Why objectivity (88): The article remains relatively neutral in tone, presenting the NBI agent's statement as part of the legal proceedings. However, the phrase 'standard in gov't projects' may imply a broader systemic issue, which could introduce a slight interpretive angle.
A former regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways testified during a bail hearing in a plunder case that 25 percent of funds allocated for infrastructure projects in the 2025 national budget was diverted as kickbacks. The witness stated these payments were made to project proponents, explicitly naming senators among the recipients. This testimony emerged during the continuation of legal proceedings involving allegations of corruption within the government’s infrastructure spending. The disclosure highlights alleged systemic misuse of public funds intended for development projects.
Bias read (Center): The provided text is a brief factual report of specific testimony given in court regarding alleged corruption. It uses neutral language ('said', 'bared' in headline but body says 'testified/stated') and does not include opinion, adjectives indicating judgment beyond the factual allegation itself, or
The Office of the Ombudsman in the Philippines has filed criminal charges for malversation and graft against two former executives of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), along with four current personnel and seven private individuals. The allegations stem from a fraud scheme involving the acquisition of rights-of-way for the Digos-Makar National Road in General Santos City between 2018 and 2019. Investigators determined that the accused fabricated documents and inflated land compensation claims, resulting in fraudulent payments exceeding 491 million Philippine pesos. The case relies on evidence gathered by the National Bureau of Investigation, including affidavits from witnesses who admitted to colluding with public officials to submit fake acquisition papers. The Ombudsman cited prima facie evidence sufficient for conviction and filed 18 informations for each count before the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a straightforward report on legal proceedings initiated by a government oversight body. It relies heavily on direct quotes from the Office of the Ombudsman and factual details regarding the specific charges and financial losses. There is no evident editorializing, loaded adjectv
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