Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu — The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 27 of Lapu-Lapu City has issued warrants of arrest against several engineers in connection with a concrete revetment project in Barangay Culaman, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.
The warrants were issued following the referral of the case from RTC Malita, Davao Occidental. The accused were subsequently placed under arrest, according to a statement released by their legal counsel on Wednesday.
The lawyers said the respondents had already voluntarily surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) days before the warrants were issued, a move they described as an expression of respect for legal processes.
The case stems from allegations that the concrete revetment project was a so-called “ghost project.” However, the defense denied the claim, asserting that the project is physically existing, completed, and fully operational.
“The concrete revetment project in Barangay Culaman is not a ghost project. It exists and is serving the public as intended,” the statement read.
The defense further maintained that no laws were violated and that the project’s timely completion demonstrated the proper performance of the duties of the accused in accordance with their mandate.
The lawyers also claimed that their clients were being unfairly implicated and used as “collateral damage” to divert attention from broader accountability issues related to corruption.
Despite the issuance of the warrants, the defense expressed confidence in the judicial process and said they remain committed to protecting their clients’ rights as the case proceeds.
Those named in the case include Engr. Michael P. Awa, Engr. Joel M. Lumogdang, Engr. Harold John E. Villaver, Engr. Jafel C. Faunillan, Engr. Josephine C. Valdez, Engr. Ranulfo A. Flores, and Czar Ryan S. Ubungen. Their counsel is Atty. Paul Tristan B. Sato.
