Category: National

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.

Some people are calling themselves the “Philippine Anti-Corruption Czar ( PACC) ” and are acting like they have the power to investigate corruption. We want to make it very clear: they are not part of the government and have no legal authority to do what real government agencies do.

In the Philippines, it is illegal to pretend to be a government official or to act like one without permission. Doing so is called usurpation of authority and can get you in serious legal trouble. Courts have ruled that even if someone claims they are “helping the public,” falsely acting as an official is still against the law.

If you are approached by this group, or if they ask for information, favors, or money, do not cooperate. Only authorized government offices like the Ombudsman, the Commission on Audit, or proper law enforcement agencies can conduct investigations.

Please be careful and always check if a group is officially recognized by the government before trusting them.

Concern Citizens of Davao

DPWH officials linked to the alleged “ghost project” in Davao Occidental rushed to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) today to voluntarily undergo questioning.

Initial reports say the officials turned over documents requested by investigators and immediately cooperated with the probe.

They also expressed fear for their lives, telling authorities they “do not want any drama to happen” as tensions surrounding the issue continue to rise.

Their move is seen as a bid to ensure transparency and protect themselves while the investigation unfolds.

The NBI has yet to release an official statement as the inquiry continues.

Business News Philippines

DAVAO OCCIDENTAL – A flood-control project in the southern municipality of Jose Abad Santos has prompted broader discussion among residents about local development priorities and basic services.

Mayor Jason John Joyce, a lawyer serving his third term, has defended the initiative, saying it reflects efforts to protect communities vulnerable to seasonal flooding. The project has become a focal point of public debate, drawing both support and questions from local residents.

Community members point to other concerns that they say remain unaddressed. Among them are the absence of a municipal cemetery, which has led some families to rely on private property for burials, and the lack of a central public market, leaving vendors scattered across different areas.

Infrastructure planning and procurement have also been raised in community discussions, though no official review has been announced.

“The flood-control project is important, but people also want to see solutions to everyday needs,” one resident said. “Basic facilities like a cemetery and a marketplace matter to us just as much.”

Observers note that the debate has highlighted the challenge of balancing urgent infrastructure needs with long-term development planning in smaller municipalities.

While the flood project has dominated headlines locally, residents say it has also opened a broader conversation about priorities for the town’s growth and services.

Joyce’s office has not issued a statement beyond his earlier remarks in support of the flood-control initiative.

A civic group has filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman–Visayas seeking an investigation into what it described as “widespread corruption” at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Central Visayas.

In a letter to Acting Ombudsman Dante F. Vargas, the group Citizens Against Graft and Corruption accused Regional Director Glen Galario, Assistant Regional Director Apolinar, and Chief of Operations Aden Belza of alleged involvement in unauthorized collections and misuse of authority.

The filing cited supposed irregularities in dealings with driving schools, emission centers, vehicle dealers, and plate distribution, which the group claimed had “generated millions of pesos in payments”.

It also alleged that some LTO officials engaged in undisclosed activities within agency premises and questioned Galario’s frequent absences and travels outside the region.

The petitioners urged the Ombudsman to impose preventive suspensions on Galario, Apolinar, Belza and other officials pending investigation, citing their influence over records and staff.

“We appeal for swift and important attention to our plea in the best interest of the public and good governance,” the group said in its complaint.

The case is now under review by the Ombudsman. The officials named have not yet publicly commented.

In a region that has long promoted itself as a hub for progress and innovation, Clark is now facing mounting challenges in waste management — not necessarily due to a lack of options, but amid concerns that a previously established system was set aside without a comprehensive transition plan.

At the center of the discussion is the newly contracted waste operator, Prime Waste Solutions Pampanga, Inc. (PWS), engaged by the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) in October 2024 to implement a system anchored on a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Porac, Pampanga.

While the plan has been described as modern and environmentally forward, some observers have raised concerns about the system’s long-term viability — particularly the absence of an integrated landfill component for residual waste.

Without it, critics say, the system may be ill-equipped to ensure secure final disposal in an environmentally sensitive zone like Clark.

“MRF sounds good on paper,” one environmental consultant said, “but without proper landfill infrastructure, you’re just delaying the problem, not solving it.”

Maria Theresa Doble, officer-in-charge of CENRO San Fernando, previously noted that an MRF is not a substitute for a sanitary landfill. She cited Republic Act 9003, which mandates that residual waste must be disposed of within 24 hours.

A Disrupted Operational Continuity?

Prior to PWS, waste operations in Clark were handled by Metro Clark Waste Management Corporation (MCWMC), which managed the Kalangitan sanitary landfill for nearly two decades.

While not without criticism, MCWMC maintained a functioning and legally compliant facility that served local governments and private clients across Central Luzon.

MCWMC’s contract expired on October 5, 2024, and was not renewed. CDC cited legal constraints under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law, while the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) pointed to permit and authority-to-operate issues.

Some analysts believe that the transition created a gap in operations and led to implementation challenges under the new setup.

Environmental Permit Questions Surface

Concerns have also been raised by environmental groups over the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) granted to PWS by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region III Environmental Management Bureau.

These groups have questioned whether all necessary public consultations and approvals — such as a Letter of No Objection (LONO) from concerned local governments — were secured prior to the issuance.

Videos circulating online have shown what appear to be wastewater flows and localized flooding near the Porac facility. While these claims remain unverified, and no official statement has been issued by the DENR as of this writing, they have contributed to public uncertainty over the facility’s environmental safeguards.

“We’re not saying Metro Clark was without flaws,” said a local official who requested anonymity. “But they had infrastructure in place. What we have now feels like a work in progress — and people are feeling the growing pains.”

Calls for Legislative Oversight

Reports have emerged that Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. has called for a congressional inquiry into the transition, including the ECC process and national agency oversight.

Advocacy groups are also urging Senator Lito Lapid to take up the issue in the Senate, citing his roots in the region and track record on environmental matters.

“It’s not about which contractor was chosen,” said one civic group. “It’s about ensuring that the system in place serves public interest and environmental safety.”

Looking Ahead

The shift in Clark’s waste management system has reignited broader discussions about infrastructure continuity, public participation, and environmental compliance. While the intention may have been to modernize, critics argue that the transition should have been more deliberate and consultative.

Whether or not the previous operator offered the ideal solution, its track record is now being weighed against the challenges of a new system still finding its footing.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of this site.