ROXAS CITY, CAPIZ – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 Director Engr. Sonny Boy Oropel firmly denied allegations that the agency is favoring certain contractors, contrary to claims made by the Crimes and Corruption Watch International, Inc. (CCWII), which recently filed graft and corruption charges against several DPWH-6 officials.
On May 21, CCWII filed formal complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against Regional Director Oropel, along with district engineers Roy Pacanan, Bernadette Betsy Uy, Allan Rey Pajimna, Randolfo Melosantos, and Robert Palmera.
Also named as respondents were DPWH-6 Bids and Awards Committee Chairperson Mary Grace Bulaquina-Hachuela, Vice Chairperson Marilou Zamora, and members Ormel Santos, Gladwyn Ledesma, Roland Victorino, and Ricardo Gutierrez. IBC President Helen Edith Lee Tan was likewise included in the complaint.
In an exclusive interview with Bombo Radyo Roxas, Director Oropel recalled that the same organization had previously filed similar charges against former DPWH Region 6 officials, which were eventually dismissed by the Ombudsman due to lack of merit.
Oropel expressed confidence that the current complaint will also be dismissed once they are required to respond.
He clarified that neither he nor the district engineers were involved in the procurement activities related to the bidding process. According to the director, all bidding activities are live-streamed to ensure transparency and allow observers and stakeholders to witness the entire process.
Furthermore, Oropel noted that the Commission on Audit (COA) has found no irregularities in the DPWH Region 6’s bidding procedures.
He said that the motive behind CCWII’s actions may be to discredit and intimidate the agency.
