Plunder, malversation of public funds, and graft complaints have been heaped on former Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Christopher de Venecia and others on Thursday over alleged “ghost” or fictitious flood control projects in Pangasinan.

Jaime Gutierrez Aquino, a resident of the province and leader of a tricycle operators and drivers’ organization, filed the cases before the Office of the Ombudsman. He claimed that over ₱286 million in funds were squandered by officials, evidenced by the lack of implemented projects, according to RH 5 Val Gonzales.

Aquino said he had conducted independent inspections at the project site locations to confirm this. He added that other locals have also been complaining.

Aside from de Venecia, Sual Municipal Mayor Dong Calugay, officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and private contractors have been included in the complaints.

Aquino hopes that the Ombudsman, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), and the DPWH will investigate the project anomalies in Pangasinan.