ILOILO City – Officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 are fighting back against graft charges filed by a watchdog group, describing the complaint as “frivolous” and a form of harassment meant to malign their reputation.
They also warned they may pursue legal action against the complainant.
On May 21, Crimes and Corruption Watch International, Inc. (CCWI), led by its president Carlo M. Batalla, filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City against top DPWH Region 6 officials for allegedly favoring International Builders Corporation (IBC) in awarding projects, despite the company’s supposed negative slippages in ongoing contracts.
Among those named in the complaint were:
* Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel
* District Engineers Randolfo Melosantos (Guimaras), Allan Rey Pajimna (retired, Iloilo 2nd), Roy Pacanan (Iloilo City), Bernadeth Betsy B. Uy (Antique), and Robert Palmera (Iloilo 3rd)
* Chiefs Mary Grace Bulaquiña-Hachuela (ROWALD), Ormel Santos (Construction), Marilou Zamora (Planning and Design), Gladwyn Ledesma (EMD), and Ricardo Gutierrez (QAHD)
In a press statement, the officials said, “Considering the outcome of the previous cases filed by CCWI, it is evidently clear that the instant case is just as frivolous and filed solely for purposes of harassing the undersigned. This harassment is further exemplified by the fact that certain contracts referenced in the instant complaint were already included and discussed in a previous complaint.”
They cited two earlier complaints filed by Batalla — one against former DPWH-6 director Nerie D. Bueno et al., and another against Mark Anthony M. Alejo et al. — which were both dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman for lack of merit.
In the Joint Resolution dated August 1, 2024, the Ombudsman said the evidence submitted by CCWI “could not be verified” and were “unauthenticated by any witness.”
A separate resolution dated March 12, 2024 also noted that “the complainant did not even bother to secure any official document from the appropriate agencies in order to back-up his claim of negative slippages.”
DPWH-6 also accused CCWI of tarnishing not only their personal reputations but also that of the entire agency.
They emphasized, however, that as of this writing, they have yet to receive any formal notice or order related to the complaint.
DPWH-6 also noted that a supposed copy of the complaint affidavit had been shared on Facebook by a user named “Garrett Batalla Fernandez,” making the document publicly accessible.
The officials defended the legality of the awarded contracts, saying, “It cannot be overemphasized that all projects, including the projects awarded to IBC, were all bid out through competitive bidding, which is broadcasted to the public through livestream and where multiple bidders participated.”
They added that even losing bidders did not raise any concerns or irregularities, and no adverse findings were reported by the Commission on Audit (COA) on the contracts in question.
Though CCWI was not an accredited observer for the bidding processes, the group had been allowed to attend in the spirit of transparency. However, according to the officials, “CCWI never raised any question and/or noted any irregularity in the conduct of the procurement process.”
Finally, the officials said they reserve the right to seek legal redress: “While we respect Mr. Batalla’s right to file cases against the undersigned or any other official of DPWH Region 6, it is also the right and obligation of the latter to protect, not only their individual rights as employees of the Department, but also and more importantly, the reputation of this Office. As such, should circumstances warrant, the undersigned shall institute the proper legal actions against Mr. Batalla and/or CCWI.”/PN
