MANILA – Former Antique governor Rhodora Cadiao and several provincial officials are facing a graft complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman over the release of P531 million for the construction of a provincial government center.
The complaint-affidavit, filed by Jon Sherwin Pacete and Wilson Geronimo, questioned the legality of payments made for the project despite alleged regulatory issues surrounding the construction site, according to the Ombudsman in a media release.
According to the complainants, the project had already reached around 55 percent completion by mid-2025 even though key requirements had not been resolved.
They cited records showing that Cadiao in 2022 requested for the property to be converted from agricultural to institutional use. However, the Sangguniang Bayan of San Jose de Buenavista denied the request in February 2023.
The complainants also referenced a certification dated February 18 from the Office of the Building Official of San Jose de Buenavista stating that no building permit had been issued for the construction.
They further said the project was subjected to notices of violation and a work stoppage order due to alleged breaches of the National Building Code.
Despite these, the complaint claimed that mobilization funds were approved and partial progress payments were made 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.
Aside from Cadiao and the contractor, the complaint also named several provincial officials as respondents. These included 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 listed were former BAC vice chairman Nicolasito Calawag Jr., former BAC members Rachel Gindap and Rene Oberio, and former BAC Secretariat member Bienvenido Nallos Jr.
The complaint also raised possible violations of Article 171 (Falsification) and Article 220 (Illegal Use of Public Funds) of the Revised Penal Code.
Cadiao and the other respondents could not be reached for comment as of this writing./PN