Magalong to sue DPWH execs over substandard projects

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong will file charges against officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Baguio City District Engineering Office (BCDEO) in connection with what he described as poor quality infrastructure projects implemented in the city.

Magalong on Friday subscribed under oath his complaint-affidavit before the City Prosecutor’s Office in preparation for the filing of the charges with the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City today.

Among the respondents in the complaint are eight officials and employees of the BCDEO including its chief engineer Rene Zarate and assistant district engineer Glen Reyes.

The complaint for alleged violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act includes a sidewalk project along Bonifacio street, which Magalong described as substandard.

“The content of the complaint is entering into a contract that is disadvantageous to the government. Marami pa kaming ipa-file laban sa BCDEO since marami kaming nadi-discover na projects na substandard and defective,” Magalong said.

He said he was disappointed because despite a   series of meetings and warnings issued against the city district engineering office, the projects remain substandard or of poor quality.

Earlier, Magalong warned that he would file a test case against a government office to show that the local government is serious in putting a stop to corruption.

He said the city government is also preparing evidence in preparation for the filing of more complaints involving other projects including school buildings.

“Nagpadala na nga ang DPWH ng tao nila dito para talagang sila na ang mag-inspect sa mga projects at nakita naman talaga nila na substandard and defective. Kaya lang after eight months wala pa rin kaming nakitang concrete action,” Magalong said.

“We can no longer tolerate such corruption so we will now be initiating the filing of cases,” he added.