ILOILO City – Former Antique governor Rhodora Cadiao has branded as “harassment” the graft complaint filed against her and several provincial officials over the P531.2-million Antique Government Center project, insisting the case is an attempt to destroy her reputation.
Cadiao issued the statement on Friday, March 13, after news circulated on social media that a complaint had been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against her, eight former provincial officials, and a contractor in connection with the construction of the provincial government center, which is intended to become the province’s new capitol.
The complaint was filed by Jon Sherwin Pacete and Wilson Geronimo, both residents of Antique, questioning the legality of payments made for the project.
“Obviously, the complainants, Pacete and Geronimo, who had long been my critics for years – out again to harass, malign, demean and destroy my reputation – have well prepared for a media blitz, even before we, the respondents knew of the filing of the charge,” Cadiao said.
Cadiao said that when she stepped down from office, the project and all related documents had already been turned over to the new provincial administration.
She said a formal turnover took place on June 27, 2025, witnessed by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial director Ace Azarcon, where the incoming administration received documents related to the government center project.
These included reports from the Commission on Audit (COA) and documents from agencies such as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), which she said did not contain negative findings about the project.
“Thus, all matters and concerns pertaining to the Antique Government Center, including government clearance for the site, and follow up of building permit application for the construction of the infrastructure, have been officially passed on to the new administration, which as per latest information, has been mandated by the COA to expedite the processing of all permits and clearances,” Cadiao added.
The former governor also expressed support for the current provincial leadership in addressing regulatory requirements tied to the project.
“I urge one and all, to join me as I personally commend the Javier administration, for its earnest and sincerest efforts to comply with the COA mandate. After all, the Antique Government Center, or the new Provincial Capitol, is for the benefit of all Antiqueños – the present and future generation,” she said.
Named as respondents along with Cadiao were Provincial Accountant Esther Minnie Julian, Provincial Treasurer Joyce Suriaga, Provincial Engineer and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) vice chairman Inocencio Dajao Jr., and former Provincial Administrator and BAC chairman Nery Duremdes.
Also included in the complaint were former BAC vice chairman Nicolasito Calawag Jr., former BAC members Rachel Gindap and Rene Oberio, and former BAC Secretariat member Bienvenido Nallos Jr.
In their complaint-affidavit, Pacete and Geronimo questioned the legality of government payments for the project, citing alleged regulatory issues affecting the construction site.
They claimed the project had already reached about 55 percent completion by mid-2025 despite unresolved requirements.
According to the complainants, Cadiao in 2022 requested the conversion of the project site from agricultural to institutional use, but the Sangguniang Bayan of San Jose de Buenavista denied the request in February 2023.
They also cited a Feb. 18 certification from the Office of the Building Official of San Jose de Buenavista stating that no building permit had been issued for the project.
The complainants further alleged that the project had been subjected to notices of violation and a work stoppage order due to supposed breaches of the National Building Code.
Despite these issues, the complaint said mobilization funds were approved and partial progress payments were released to contractor F. Gurrea Construction.
“The core issue in this complaint is whether public funds may lawfully be disbursed for substantial structural works undertaken on a project site affected by unresolved land-use classification issues, absence of building permit, issuance of a work stoppage order, and official confirmation that the building footprint lies within an irrigation service area,” the complaint-affidavit read.
The complainants also raised possible violations of Article 171 (Falsification) and Article 220 (Illegal Use of Public Funds) of the Revised Penal Code./PN