Complaint filed vs 2 CamSur flood control projects

A citizen’s complaint has been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman over two allegedly anomalous flood control projects in the 4th District of Camarines Sur.

Romeo Aguirre Penilla of Marilao, Bulacan lodged the complaint against Camarines Sur 4th District Representative Arnulf Bryan Fuentebella, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 4th District engineers Gemma Timbang and Nestor Gorimbao, and contractors Alfonso Rivero and Abner Ferrer.

The respondents are facing allegations of malversation of public funds, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and violations of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

The complaint stemmed from two allegedly anomalous flood control projects with a total amount of P84.19 million.

The first project involved a flood mitigation structure and drainage system along the Sagñay River in San Isidro-Nato, Sagñay town, funded under the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA) with a budget of P37.2 million.

The project, awarded to AC Rivero Development Corp., covered the period from May 17, 2018 to February 13, 2019, but was reportedly declared completed only on February 12, 2020.

According to the complaint, an inspection conducted on February 10, 2026 revealed “widespread structural deficiencies,” non-compliance with approved specifications, use of substandard materials, and poor workmanship.

“The omission of major structural components, which are indispensable to the stability and hydraulic performance of a flood control structure, cannot be dismissed as a mere technical oversight," the complaint read.

"At the very least, it constitutes gross inexcusable negligence; at worst, it indicates evident bad faith,” it added.

The second project involved the construction of a seawall structure from Barangay 1 to Barangay 4 in Garchitorena town, funded under the 2022 GAA with a budget of P46.99 million.

The project was awarded to Partido Construction & Supply and was reportedly declared 100% complete on June 5, 2023.

However, an inspection conducted on December 9, 2025 allegedly found deficiencies in design, materials, and workmanship.

“The required steel sheet piles and precast concrete piles were not observed during inspection, and the specified pavement thickness was not complied with,” the complaint stated.

The complaint further alleged that the release of full payment for a “structurally deficient and partially collapsed” flood control project pointed to possible irregularities in the determination of probable cause.

It added that certifying the project as 100% complete despite alleged structural deficiencies reflected “gross and flagrant indifference” to engineering standards and government rules.

Penilla also sought the preventive suspension of the respondents while the investigation is ongoing.

He likewise requested a lifestyle check on the public officials involved, including scrutiny of their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), bank records, and other financial documents.

GMA News Online has reached out to the respondents and will update this story once their responses are received.—MCG, GMA News