Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<div><iframe width="1100" height="619" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_YXgX89Jp94" title="LIVE: Office of the Ombudsman, ICI, DPWH hold press briefing" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure recommended Wednesday the filing of criminal and administrative complaints against several ‘congtractors’ or lawmakers who supposedly own construction firms that bagged government projects. ICI Chairman Andres Reyes said these include former lawmaker Elizaldy Co, CWS party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola, Bulacan Second District Rep. Tina Pancho, and Tarlac Third District Rep. Noel Rivera, among others.The ICI said referrals were filed for the following congressmen who were allegedly linked to the corresponding contractors.<ol><li>Former Rep. Elizaldy S. Co for FS Co. Builders Supply</li><li>Rep. Edwin Gardiola for Newington Builders Inc, Lourel Development Corp, and S-Ang General Construction and Trading Inc</li><li>Rep. James Ang Jr for IBC International Builders Corporation and Allencon Development Corporation</li><li>Rep. Jernie Jett Nisa for JVN Construction and Trading </li><li>Rep. Augustina Pancho for C.M. Pancho Construction Inc</li><li>Rep. Joseph Lara for JLL Pulsra Construction Corporation</li><li>Rep. Francisco Matugas for Boometrix Development Corporation</li><li>Rep. Noel Rivera for Tarlac 3-G Construction and Development Corporation</li></ol>They could face charges of plunder, graft, direct bribery, and violations of the Government Procurement Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, particularly the provision on conflict of interest.&quot;Dapat mahinto na itong kulturang nagpapa-kontrata sa kongreso… These congressmen should not be engaging in private business activities that conflict with their official duties. They should not influence bids and awards. Members of Congress must not sway procurement processes nor should they participate in or benefit from government contracts,&quot; said ICI Chairperson Andres Reyes Jr.DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the firms are either named after the actual lawmaker or their family members.&quot;Kasama sa mga ebidensyang sinubmit namin ay records galing sa Securitiies and Exchange Commission tungkol sa iba&#x27;t ibang kumpanya na konektado sa mga kongresista kaya doon po na-establish yung direktang pagmamay-ari ng mga indibidwal,&quot; he added.According to the ICI referral, the said construction firms were awarded around 1,300 infrastructure projects worth over P92 billion from 2016 to 2024.Co&#x27;s company alone bagged 40 contracts worth P3.8 billion from 2020 to 2024.&quot;A significant number of these projects were undertaken through a joint venture with HiTone Construction and Development Corporation, founded by Mr. Christopher Co, brother of Vice Governor Farida Co and of former Rep. Zaldy Co,&quot; said the ICI.Meanwhile, three Gardiola-linked firms reportedly secured 211 projects worth more than P24 billion from 2016 to 2024.As for the companies with alleged ties to Ang and his relatives, they won a total of 597 contracts from 2016 to 2024. That&#x27;s approximately ₱40.40 billion.But Ang maintains that his conscience is clear, insisting he has never used his position for personal gain.&quot;My conscience is clear. I am confident that I will be able to clear my name soon. My resolve for truth to come out is stronger and clearer. In my three years in public service, I have never used my position in the government for my own interest and to profit in any way,&quot; he said in a statement.Nisay&#x27;s JVN Construction and Trading was awarded 3 infrastructure projects from 2021 to 2022, with a price tag of more than P73 million.&quot;JVN Construction and Trading (&#x27;JVN&#x27;) is a sole proprietorship owned by Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay (&#x27;Rep. Nisay&#x27;), who has been serving as a representative of the Pusong Pinoy Partylist since 2022 up to the present,&quot; according to the ICI.C.M. Pancho Construction, Inc., whose stockholders are all relatives of Rep. Pancho, was awarded only 1 &quot;but clearly significant infrastructure project&quot; in 2021 worth P1.2 billion.Lara-linked Pulsar Construction Corp. won more than 240 infrastructure contracts from the DPWH from 2016 to 2024 amounting to over P11 billion.Lara, for his part, stressed that he no longer has any connection to JLL Pulsar Construction and that the company has not been involved in any projects in his district since he was elected.&quot;Bago pa man tayo sumabak sa serbisyo publiko ay wala na tayong anumang kaugnayan sa JLL Pulsar Construction at higit sa lahat, kahit kailan ay hindi po sumali ang JLL Pulsar Construction sa mga kontrata ng mga proyekto sa Tersera Distrito ng Cagayan mula po nung tayo ay naluklok bilang kinatawan ng Tersera Distrito,&quot; he claimed.Records of the DPWH show that Boometrix, which is allegedly connected to Rep. Matugas, was awarded 135 contracts from 2017 to 2024 amounting to P8.7 billion.Rep. Noel Rivera, who is the declared Chairman, President and majority stockholder of Tarlac 3-G, bagged 72 infrastructure projects from 2017 to 2024 worth P2.3 billion.ABS-CBN News is still seeking comment from the other implicated lawmakers.<div> </div><div>JUST A DROP IN THE BUCKET?</div>Ombudsman Jesus Crispin &quot;Boying&quot; Remulla personally received the evidence submitted by the ICI and DPWH, saying they will help expedite their investigation.But he believes these names are just a drop in the bucket, vowing that the Office of the Ombudsman will look into all possible &quot;congtractors.&quot;&quot;Kakausapin ko si (House) Speaker tungkol dito dahil madi-disrupt talaga ang congress. Marami kasing maaapektuhan, more than 10 percent of Congress will be affected, membership yan ng House (of Representatives,&quot; said Remulla.Remulla added that his office has already begun investigating a number of them, including former House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio &quot;Dong&quot; Gonzales Jr.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure recommended Wednesday the filing of criminal and administrative complaints against several ‘congtractors’ or lawmakers who supposedly own construction firms that bagged government projects.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure recommended Wednesday the filing of criminal and administrative complaints against several ‘congtractors’ or lawmakers who supposedly own construction firms that bagged government projects.

ICI seeks raps vs lawmakers with construction firms that bagged DPWH projects

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ICI seeks raps vs lawmakers with construction firms that bagged DPWH projects

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News,

Published November 26, 2025 01:52 PM PHT

|

Updated December 05, 2025 03:09 PM PHT

Read More:

ICI

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DPWH

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