Ombudsman to recommend charges vs 8 DPWH execs, Discaya
Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic Clavano IV shows the recommendation and charges that would be filed against eight DPWH officials and St. Timothy Construction Corporation executives, led by Sarah Discaya, during a press briefing at the Ombudsman on Dec. 5, 2025.
VIDEO BY RED MENDOZA
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00:00Following our earlier announcement regarding the case in Oriental Mindoro, the Office of the Ombudsman informs the public that a second major case has now advanced to the filing stage.
00:15After a thorough investigation, reviewing voluminous documents, conducting field verification, and evaluating sworn statements from community witnesses,
00:29the Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to file criminal charges in connection with an alleged P96.5 million ghost infrastructure project in Davao, Occidental.
00:46The project was awarded in January of 2022.
00:51Thus, today, we announce that criminal informations shall be filed before the Regional Trial Court of Digos City against several officials of the DPWH Davao Occidental District Engineering Office
01:11and private individuals, owners of St. Timothy Construction Corporation.
01:17For the same behavior, the DPWH Davao Occidental officials involved are likewise preventively suspended for a period of six months.
01:32This administrative case resolution has, as of this time, been served to the Office of the DPWH Secretary, Secretary Vince Dizon.
01:42The complaint alleges that the respondents conspired to facilitate the release of P96.5 million pesos for the supposed construction of a revetment project in Barangay Culaman, Jose Abad Santos, Davao, Occidental,
02:04a project which, based on official inspection and witness accounts, was never implemented.
02:12There was no actual construction, yet respondents certified that the project was completed.
02:22They are found to have falsified accomplishment reports, issued fraudulent billing documents, and endorsed disbursement vouchers that triggered the release of the entire project cost.
02:37This was confirmed during an on-ground inspection conducted by the criminal investigation and detection group of the PNP,
02:48which found that works were only started after the flood control issue had gone public.
02:57Prior to such time, there was no trace of construction in the area.
03:02The respondents in this case include
03:06District Engineer Rodrigo C. Larete,
03:12Assistant District Engineer Michael P. Awa,
03:17several section chiefs, project engineers,
03:20and inspectors of the DPWH Davao Occidental District Engineering Office,
03:27and private individuals Maria Roma Angeline Rimando and Cesara Rowena Diskaya of St. Timothy Construction Corporation.
03:40They face the following charges.
03:43Number 1. Malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents under Article 217 in relation to Articles 171 and 172 of the revised Penal Code.
04:00Violation of Section 3E of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, or RA 3019.
04:08For the case of malversation, the prosecution recommends no bail.
04:16This means that if and when warrants of arrest are out from the court,
04:22the respondents will have to be detained pending trial.
04:25As in the first case, the Office of the Ombudsman assures the Filipino people that we will pursue this matter firmly,
04:36independently, and without fear or favor.
04:40Public funds intended for community protection cannot be converted into private gain and greed.
04:49Public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds for public funds
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