DPWH suspends Baguio DEO officials over alleged bid rigging

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the suspension of several officials and employees of the Baguio City District Engineering Office (DEO) due to alleged rigging, fixing, and manipulation of the bidding process for infrastructure projects.

The suspended officials include District Engineer Rene Zarate, Planning and Design Section Chief Cesario Rillera, Maintenance Section Chief Nora Delos Santos, Planning and Design Section Engineer II Jessie Ramos and Frances Saloria, Administrative Officer II Frigilda Legaspi, and members of the Bids and Awards Committee-Technical Working Group (BAC-TWG).

These individuals are given five days to explain why they should not face administrative charges.

The alleged manipulation was reportedly done to favor dummy contractors or companies belonging to the spouses and family members of certain DEO employees.

Goldrich Construction and Trading is said to have been consistently favored, securing 67% of the total project appropriations for the Baguio City DEO from 2022 to 2025, excluding projects awarded to Tango-Romeo General Construction, which is also alleged to be a dummy or co-owned company.