QUEZON CITY, Philippines—The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday filed three counts of graft before the Sandiganbayan against former Pampanga Third District Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. over his alleged financial interest in a construction company awarded more than ₱611 million in government flood control contracts during his incumbency.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the filing is part of the agency’s commitment to pursuing accountability amid investigations into questionable government infrastructure projects.
Investigations revealed that Gonzales still benefited from the construction companies while serving as a member of the House of Representatives.
“There’s a divestment pero it still flows back to him, bumabalik pa rin sa kanya yung pera. So there was really no real divestment, ‘di ba? Kasi nga, pag tinitrace mo ‘yung anti-money laundering records, ‘yung kanyang binayad doon sa mga construction companies where he supposedly divested, still goes to his private bank accounts,” Ombudsman Remulla said.
The charges stemmed from two separate complaints filed in July and August 2026 concerning three contracts awarded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office III to A.D. Gonzales Jr. Construction and Trading Company Inc. (ADG Construction).
The projects involved flood mitigation facilities in San Fernando and Bacolor, Pampanga, worth more than P252 million; flood control structures, diking, and slope protection works in Mexico, Pampanga, worth more than P94 million; and another flood management project in Mexico worth nearly P265 million.
The first complaint was filed by the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office (FIO), which investigated Gonzales’ alleged financial interest in ADG Construction.
The second was filed by Barangay Sto. Cristo, Mexico, Pampanga Punong Barangay Terence Sampang Napao, who reported extensive structural defects in the flood control projects.
According to the complaint, the structures exhibited severe erosion, collapsed and displaced concrete slope-protection slabs, fractured concrete sections, large cavities, exposed metal components, and accumulated debris.
Photographs and geotagged documentation also showed deteriorating conditions in the project areas.
“You can only imagine the difficulties this has brought the community,” Remulla said.
Napao alleged that the use of non-compliant construction materials compromised the structures’ ability to withstand river currents, soil movement, and erosion, resulting in premature deterioration.
In its Joint Resolution, the Ombudsman found prima facie evidence against Gonzales for having a prohibited financial interest in ADG Construction during his term as congressman.
Article VI, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution prohibits members of Congress from having a direct or indirect financial interest in government contracts during their term of office.
While Gonzales claimed to have transferred his shares to his sister, the Ombudsman found that the arrangement did not constitute valid divestment, describing it as a temporary transfer intended to conceal his continuing financial interest.
The Ombudsman subsequently found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to charge Gonzales with three counts of violation of Section 3(h) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The complaints against the other respondents were dismissed for insufficiency of evidence.
“Kapag nangako kami, aasahan ng taumbayan, may kasunod na aksyon,” Remulla said. (PR)
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