Raps filed vs. ex-lawmaker, DPWH execs over flood projects in Pangasinan

Tricycle drivers and operators in Pangasinan filed Thursday a grave misconduct complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman against a former congressman and current Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials over two alleged ghost flood control projects.

In a 12-page complaint, the Samahan ng mga Operator at Tsuper ng Traysikel ng Pangasinan accused Pangasinan Representative Christopher de Venecia, Sual Mayor Dong Calugay, and others of plunder, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, dishonesty, inefficiency, and incompetence in performance of official duties.

They also sought the suspension of the DPWH officials pending the ruling on the complaint.

"Their conspiracy pocketed more than P286 million funds for two flood control ghost projects to qualify them to the crime of plunder," the complainants said.

According to the complaint, the projects involved a slope protection project in Abenoling River in Sitio Dalumat and a river bank protection in Barangay Sto. Tomas-Casibong on the Angalacan River.

According to the complainants, they conducted an ocular inspection of the project in Abenoling River which was destroyed during a typhoon. 

"The residents claimed that after the first slope protection project on Abenoling River in Sitio Dalumat was constructed and the second project was also again funded right in the same spot, but this time, the second project was no longer constructed and full payment was claimed," the complaint read.

"No cement, no steel bars, and no steel screen were used to protect the piled stones from being eroded away by flood," it added.  

Meanwhile, the complainants said they also inspected the supposedly constructed river bank protection.

"The barangay officials and residents told our group that there is no more project that was implemented in the river of their village starting from January up to this month of November 2025 by the DPWH and they also believed that the project is considered a 'ghost'," it read.

Further, the barangay captain also supposedly told them that it was De Venecia who initiated the implementation of the two projects in their village, according to the complaint.

"Congressman De Venecia is the only person who is working for the release of funds intended for the infrastructure project like flood control in his jurisdiction and the beneficiary of 25% kickbacks," the complaint read.    

In a statement, De Venecia denied the allegations against him.

“These claims are entirely false and unfounded. Every project initiated under my tenure was fully documented, properly executed, and delivered to the communities that it was intended to serve,” he said.

He added that the complainant was known for “filing baseless and malicious claims against public officials.”

“Equally concerning, the complainants themselves admit that they lack evidence and are requesting that the ICI and the Office of the Ombudsman conduct further investigation,” said De Venecia.

“In other words, this case was filed without any substantiating facts.”

He said that he will also explore all legal remedies to hold those who propagate false and malicious accusations accountable, including civil and criminal recourse. — VDV/ VAL, GMA Integrated News