Ex-Antique governor, other officials face graft complaints over P531-M project

MANILA, Philippines – Former Antique governor Rhodora Cadiao, eight provincial officials, and a private contractor are facing criminal and administrative complaints at the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged irregularities in the construction of the Antique Government Center project worth P531.26 million.

The complaint, filed on Wednesday, March 11, alleged that the provincial government under Cadiao still approved the release of funds for the Antique Government Center project despite knowing that the 6.4-hectare property in Barangay Badiang, San Jose de Buenavista, was still classified as agricultural land.

Complaintants Jon Sherwin Pacete and Wilson Geronimo said that in 2023, the municipal council of San Jose de Buenavista had denied Cadiao’s request for reclassification, yet the project still broke ground. In 2025, contractor F. Gurrea Construction Inc. was still working on the project before the municipal government ordered a work stoppage for violation of the National Building Code. 

No building permit was supposedly approved for the project, according to a certification from the municipality issued last February 18. 

The complainants claimed that mobilization fees and a “partial progress payment” worth a total of P531.26 million had been released to the contractor despite these issues.

Aside from Cadiao and the contractor, respondents to the complaint included provincial accountant Esther Minnie Julian, provincial treasurer Joyce Suriaga, provincial engineer Inocencio Dajao Jr., and five members of the province’s bids and awards committee: Nicolasito Calawag Jr., Nery Duremdes, Rachel Gindap, Bienvenido Nallos Jr, and Ren Oberio.

According to the complainants, the respondents violated Sections 3 (e) and 3 (g) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Articles 171 and 220 of the Revised Penal Code. – Rappler.com