NBI-7 files complaint vs mayor

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CEBU CITY — A road project that was supposed to improve infrastructure in Dalaguete town, southern Cebu, has led to corruption charges filed against local officials and private contractors.

The National Bureau of Investigation Central Visayas (NBI-7) has filed a complaint against Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante and 11 others for alleged irregularities in the P9.65-million road repair and concreting project in Barangay Poblacion.

Investigators submitted the complaint on March 28. They accused Cesante and his co-respondents of violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act (RA) 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The charges also include malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code and grave misconduct under RA 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

NBI-7's investigation found that the road project along ML Quezon Street was officially awarded to Socor Construction Corp. through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). However, investigators discovered that the municipal government of Dalaguete used its own manpower and heavy equipment for the work.

Despite this, the NBI said, Socor Construction still collected full payment from the local government.

The complaint also listed several municipal officials and private contractors as respondents including municipal engineer Expedizitas Lenares, James Osorio of the Municipal Engineering Office, DPWH construction section chief Sergio Bendulo Jr. and DPWH junior project engineer Juan Paulo Castillo.

Executives of Socor Construction Corp. also face charges. Among them are company president Fortunato Sanchez Jr., vice president Alfredo Lua, treasurer Mylene Sanchez, corporate secretary Ida Sanchez, and members Angelica Marie Lua and Kim Sanchez.

Former Dalaguete municipal engineer Ildebrando Almagro, who is running for municipal mayor in the coming elections, submitted the complaint.

Before his complaint, NBI-7 received similar reports from anonymous whistleblowers.

Almagro said he decided to file the case after NBI-7 investigated a previous incident involving Cesante and other municipal officials in October 2024.

That case involved the construction of a multipurpose building in Barangay Maloray, which was awarded to Power Frame Construction Corp. but was allegedly built by the Dalaguete local government unit.

The project led to a fatal accident involving a job order employee.

Almagro said that municipal resources were misused, significantly impacting both the government and taxpayers.

He explained that municipal equipment, maintenance funds and manpower were diverted to fulfill a private contractor's obligations.

As a result, the municipality lacked essential services.

He pointed out that using public funds and assets for a private project resulted in unnecessary expenses, requiring additional budget allocations for maintenance and operational costs.

NBI-7 said that the latest allegations against Cesante and other officials follow a pattern of misconduct.

Investigators noted that the October 2024 case, which resulted in a fatality, demonstrated the risks associated with the local government units' alleged practice of bypassing official contractors.

The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas will review the complaint and determine the next legal steps against Cesante and the other accused individuals.