DPWH-6, IBC officials slapped with criminal, admin complaints over defective Ungka Flyover

Iloilo City Councilor Plaridel Nava filed on Monday, June 5, criminal and administrative complaints against officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-6) and International Builders Corporation (IBC) over the defective P680-million Ungka Flyover.

In the criminal complaint, Nava claimed that former DPWH-6 director Tiburcio DL Canlas, current DPWH-6 director Nerie O. Bueno, DPWH-6 assistant director Jose Al V. Fruto, DPWH-6 Construction Division officer-in-charge Ormel Santos, IBC president Helen Edith Lee Tan and IBC owner Allen Son Tan violated Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The four DPWH-6 officials were likewise slapped with the administrative complaint for alleged gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service.

Also named respondents were “John Does” who participated in the implementation of the “sinking” four-lane flyover, which straddles Jaro district in Iloilo City and the neighboring town of Pavia,

“We have presented a good argument in support to the complainant against the respondents. I am very thankful to our pro-bono lawyers who are here for the cause,” said Nava.

Lawyer Ronald S. Amador, associate graft investigation officer of the Office of the Ombudsman Region 6, received the complaints.

Nava also sought the suspension of the public respondents for 90 days pending the outcome of the Ombudsman’s investigation.

The Ungka Flyover project was awarded by DPWH-6 to Iloilo-based IBC. It was fully opened to traffic on September 5 last year but was closed 13 days later due to the vertical displacement in piers 4, 5, and 6 of the structure.