Ex-Pampanga lawmaker charged over flood projects

MANILA, Philippines — Former Pampanga third district congressman Aurelio Gonzales has been indicted before the Sandiganbayan on three counts of graft in connection with flood control projects worth P612 million in the province awarded to a company owned by his family.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla Remulla yesterday confirmed the filing of charges against Gonzales before the anti-graft court for conflict of interest.

Remulla described Gonzales as a “congtractor.”

“There was a divestment (from the company), but the money still flows back to him… so there was really no real divestment at all. Anti-money laundering records showed the money he paid to the construction company  where he had supposedly divested, still goes to his private bank accounts,” Remulla said at a press briefing.

The charges stemmed from two complaints filed in July and August concerning contracts awarded by the Department of Public Works and Highways-Central Luzon to the A.D. Gonzales Jr. Construction and Trading Co. Inc.

The projects involved flood mitigation facilities in San Fernando and Bacolor worth more than P252 million; flood control structures, dikes and slope protection installation in Mexico town worth more than P94 million, and another flood management project in Mexico town worth nearly P265 million.

The first complaint was filed by the ombudsman’s field investigation office, which probed Gonzales’ alleged financial interest in the ADG Construction.

The second was filed by Terence Napao, barangay captain of Sto. Cristo in Mexico town, who reported extensive structural defects in flood control projects.

“You can only imagine the difficulties this has brought to the community,” Remulla said.

Napao alleged that the use of non-compliant construction materials compromised the structures’ capacity to withstand the river current, soil movement and erosion, resulting in premature deterioration.

A complaint filed by Napao against Gonzales, four of his children and a sister over the same issue was dismissed in 2024 by then ombudsman Samuel Martires.

Remulla said there was prima facie evidence against Gonzales for  allegedly maintaining a financial interest in ADG Construction when he was congressman.

While Gonzales claimed to have transferred his shares in ADG Construction to his sister, the ombudsman said the arrangement did not constitute a valid divestment.

The prosecution said the transfer was temporary and intended to conceal Gonzales’ continuing financial interest in the construction firm.

It is unclear if the sister and Gonzales’ children will be included in the court indictment. Two of the children are holding public office in Pampanga.

Gonzales served as congressman from 2007 to 2013, and from 2016 to 2025.