CAVITE, Philippines – A construction company owned by the family of a congressional aide has been awarded flood control contracts in a Cavite district represented by the aide’s employer, according to documents from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The contracts are under scrutiny as the district faces criticism over flood control projects that residents say have been ineffective.
The company, Ric-Jay Builders, is a contractor on flood control projects in the 5th District of Cavite.
SEC registration documents show the company is owned by the family of Carding Loyola, who is identified as an aide to Congressman Roy Loyola.
According to the SEC, Carding Loyola is listed as the company’s chief financial officer.
His son, Mark Jayson “MJ” Loyola, is president. Other family members hold leadership roles: his wife, Melchora “Emy” Loyola, is vice president; his daughter, Eunice Loyola, is a director; and his son’s wife, Lisette Pinlac, is chief of staff.
A contract obtained by Manila news organizations shows Ric-Jay Builders working as a contractor with Omnicon Builders, a company that has secured numerous flood control projects in Cavite worth billions of pesos.
Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) guidelines prohibit any official or relative of a person with a direct connection to a procuring entity from participating in its bidding or contracts. This is intended to prevent conflicts of interest.
The connection has raised suspicions about a potential conflict of interest, as a staff member for the lawmaker funding the projects is directly linked to a company receiving the public funds.
Rep. Loyola’s office has not yet responded to a request for comment.
The contract document can be viewed on the Department of Public Works and Highways website.
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