Five construction companies and several Public works officials may face between P110 million to P250 million in fines for manipulating and bid rigging of infrastructure projects in Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro, resulting in the construction of substandard flood control projects.
In a video release on Friday, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Vince Dizon disclosed that his office has officially submitted two instances of bid manipulation and bid-rigging to the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) for an initial investigation and potential case filing in accordance with Section 14, Chapter III of the Philippine Competition Act.
The first case involves Wawao Builders, IM Construction Corporation, SYMS Construction Trading, St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and officials and employees of the DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office, he said.
Evidence gathered from the Senate and House of Representatives hearings, as well as findings of internal investigations by the DPWH and the Commission on Audit (COA), point to irregularities in the procurement of several flood control projects in Bulacan, the Secretary explained.
The second case involves Sunwest, Inc., and officials and employees of the DPWH Regional Office IV-B. Despite irregularities surrounding flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro, regional officials failed to act and, instead, continued the projects awarded to Sunwest, Inc.
Preliminary evidence, including the admissions of Mr. Pacifico Discaya and Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, also suggests collusion among the involved contractors and officials, in violation of the Philippine Competition Act.
The PCC may impose fines of P110 million for the first offense, and between P110 million and P250 million for subsequent offenses.
