Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Greco Belgica said they were confident the charges against Nueva Vizcaya Governor Carlos Padilla, his wife and 12 others would push through.
In a statement released to media, Belgica said they had enough evidence for the violation of Anti-Graft
and Corrupt Practices Act and Government Procurement Act versus Padilla, former Governor Ruth Padilla and 12 other officials and employees of Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Government.
He said the complaint was already with the Ombudsman.
There was no comment immediately available from the Ombudsman nor the accused.
In a letter dated May 19, 2021, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra recommended the filing of criminal and administrative cases against the accused.
The charges were in relation to the alleged anomalous P149 million infrastructure project in the province namely: Nueva Vizcaya Convention Center, Improvement and Expansion of Provincial Capitol Building 1 and 2 , and Conference Hall in Lower Magat Eco- Tourism Park located in Diadi town, Nueva Vizcaya.
Also included in the DOJ recommendation are the three officials of private contractor Sharysu Builders.
PACC also asked the Ombudsman to put Governor Padilla and current officials involved in the alleged anomaly on a preventive suspension to avoid them on influencing witnesses and tampering of evidence.
Guevarra, however said that the complaint was now under the scrutiny of the Ombudsman.
The DOJ recommendation is based on the evaluation of Task Force Against Corruption of the department and fact-finding report of PACC as well as the investigation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation – Special Action Unit.