5 engineers suspended over Bulacan flood projects

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended five engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Bulacan in connection with alleged anomalous flood control projects worth P188.9 million.

Suspended for six months were engineers Michelle Cruz, Kevin Geronimo, Irene Ontingco, John Michael Ramos and Bernardo Villafuerte.

The respondents are facing charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and gross neglect of duty in connection with the construction of reinforced concrete slope revetments in the villages of Piel, San Roque and Sulivan in Baliwag in 2024.

Graft investigators said the respondents allegedly falsified documents to make it appear that contractual and legal requirements had been complied with.