DOJ issues subpoenas to respondents in five flood control projects
The Department of Justice has now issued subpoenas to respondents involved in five flood control projects currently being investigated for alleged corruption.
While the agency did not specify the individuals who were served, DOJ Officer-in-Charge Fredderick Vida said that all respondents in the five projects in Bulacan have been formally notified.
"Some of the subpoenas have been personally served, 'yung initial na five cases, wherein the DOJ has been deputized by the Office of the Ombudsman. That process will start, so identified na 'yung mga respondents dun and identified na rin 'yung charges," Vida told reporters.
"Soon, there will be more. I'm sure the Office of the Ombudsman is doing double time. Not only double time, but triple time," he added.
Former Department of Public Works and Highways engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, Arjay Domasig, and JP Mendoza have earlier been required to appear and comply with the investigation.
DOJ is hoping to finish the preliminary investigations within a month before filing charges in the appropriate courts.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla had appointed the agency for the prosecution of the individuals in order to prevent a repeat of the process in his office.
Amid the DOJ's investigation, the Department of Trade and Industry has now filed formal complaints against eight out of 15 contractors that got the lion's share of all flood control projects in the past three years.
Citing its regulatory authority under Executive Order 913 and other relevant trade and industry laws, the DTI is suing Legacy Construction Corp., Centerways Construction & Development Inc., Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corp., MG Samidan Construction, L.R. Tiqui Builders Inc., QM Builders, EGB Construction Corp., and Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp. for their possible violation of construction industry regulations.