An Antique-based civic and environmental advocacy group said the complaints it filed before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas over alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects are only the beginning, warning that more cases will soon be lodged against government officials and contractors.

AMLIG Antique Alliance filed the first batch of complaints on Thursday, July 16, covering five Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) infrastructure projects in Antique.

In an interview with GMA Super Radyo Iloilo, AMLIG Antique Alliance board chairman Atty. Rolly Pedrina said the filing represents only the “first wave” of the group’s legal campaign.

“This is only the first wave. We are preparing more complaints,” Pedrina said, adding that succeeding cases will be filed directly before the Office of the Ombudsman Central Office in Manila.

The initial complaints involve the following projects:

▪️Funda-Dalipe Coastal Road, Seawall and Esplanade in San Jose de Buenavista;
▪️Pandan-Ibajay Road;
Maybunga-San Ramon Road, part of the Laua-an–Bugasong–Barbaza Road Corridor;
▪️Laua-an Ridge View to Aklan River Road; and
▪️Panay East-West Road in Valderrama.

Named as respondents are several incumbent and former officials of DPWH-6, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), officials of the Antique District Engineering Office, and private contractors.

AMLIG alleged that the respondents violated provisions of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, as well as other environmental and government procurement laws.

The group is asking the Ombudsman to conduct a comprehensive investigation, impose preventive suspension on officials who remain in office, file appropriate criminal and administrative charges if warranted, and recover government funds allegedly misused in the implementation of the projects.

The Ombudsman has yet to issue a statement on the complaints.IMT