Top officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 6 are facing a graft and corruption complaint for alleged irregularities in multibillion-peso projects in 2024.
Among the officials facing a graft complaint at the Office of the Ombudsman are the regional director of DPWH 6, a few district engineers, members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), and the president of a construction firm.
The complaint accused DPWH 6 of apparently giving favor to International Builders Corporation (IBC) after awarding projects to the said contractor despite issues on two flyovers - Ungka and Aganan.
These structures span portions of both Iloilo City City and Pavia town in Iloilo Province, connecting the two areas.
The complaint was filed at the Office of the Ombudsman by a watchdog group, Crimes and Corruption Watch International, Inc.
“Hindi ginagawa yang Ungka at Aganan Flyover(s), tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang pag-aaward ng mga bagong projects sa Region 6 Bids and Awards Committee in violation sa probisyon ng procurement law,” said Carlomagno Batalla, chairman of the Crimes and Corruption Watch International, Inc.
As for DPWH 6 Director, Engr. Sanny Boy Oropel, their bidding process is transparent and based on legitimate guidelines.
“Ang ating bidding online at live, paano tayo magbibigay ng hindi tamang procedure o practice dahil live? Nakikita ng lahat ang ating bidding,” Oropel said.
Oropel is confident that the complaint will be dismissed for alleged lack of sufficient pieces of evidence.
“Ang una nilang fi-nile (file) against the former regional director, Asec. Neri and some members of the Bids and Awards Committee noong 2022, na-dismiss naman,” Oropel added.
However, according to Batalla, they hold strong evidence to prove the allegation.
The group has also prepared an additional complaint regarding irregularities in DPWH projects in 2025.
“Yung affidavit is more than 600 pages. So kumpleto na yung attachments dyan…Notice of Award, resolution ng contract, tapos Notice to Proceed, nandyan lahat yan,” Batalla pointed out.
GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas went to the office of IBC in Pavia. However, none of the company officials faced the news team.
As of this writing, the news team has sought once more a comment from the company on the issue and is yet to receive a reply.
