By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Eight personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are facing a six-month preventive suspension following allegations that government infrastructure funds were paid out despite projects in Surigao del Norte remaining largely unfinished.
The Office of the Ombudsman issued the suspension order as it pursues administrative cases against the personnel assigned to the DPWH Surigao del Norte 1st District Engineering Office.
The respondents include seven engineers and an accountant accused of involvement in questionable project implementation, with investigators citing possible grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to public service.
The investigation was initiated by the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office II, which relied partly on documents submitted by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). These reportedly identified projects recorded as completed even though required work or deliveries remained unfinished.
The eight suspended personnel are Annie Dela Vega, Federico Gotico III, Demilyn Castrence, Quintinano Armendariz Jr., Edward Tinio, Florencio Sulana, Ricky Arciga and Jerome Sulapas.
Dela Vega is a district engineer assigned to DPWH Regional Office XI, while Sulana serves as engineer II and acting chief of quality assurance. The others hold engineering and accounting positions at the Surigao del Norte district office.
The Ombudsman said the preventive measure is necessary to prevent the respondents from potentially influencing the proceedings.
The suspension is not a determination of liability, and the administrative cases remain pending.
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