Gubernatorial also-ran Atty. Oliver T. Rodulfo has filed a complaint with the Ombudsman against the province’s top officials over the Department of Public Works and Highways’ construction of the Home for the Elderly inside the Catanduanes State University campus.
In the complaint filed before the graft prosecution body last June 19, 2025, the lawyer accused Congressman Eulogio R. Rodriguez and former CatSU president-and-now-Governor Patrick Alain T. Azanza of Gross Misconduct, Conduct Unbecoming of Public Official, Arrogance and Violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 6713.
He alleged that the respondents conspired to construct various infrastructure projects within the university compound with no connection at all with the operation of CatSU and without taking into consideration the interest of the students and faculty.
Rodulfo particularly cited the P10-million Home for the Elderly implemented by the DPWH Catanduanes District Engineering Office through an alleged verbal agreement between the respondents but without the mandatory approval of the CatSU Board of Regents.
He cited as evidence Committee Report No. 2025-071 of the Sangguniang Bayan of Virac which cleary stated that the implementation of the project was never coordinated with the local government unit of Virac, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) or even the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).
The complainant pointed to the admission before the legislative body by then OIC-President Roberto Barba Jr. that there was no approved resolution or authority granted by the BOR to authorize respondent Azanza to allow the construction of the project.
During the committee meeting, the complaint stated, a CatSU official admitted that there was no Memorandum of Agreement between DPWH Catanduanes DEO and CatSU for the construction of the project and that the project was not included in the 10-year Land Use Development and Investment Plan (LUDIP) for proposed buildings in the university.
Most compelling of all, Rodulfo stated, was the admission of the Building Official that there was no building permit issued for the construction of the project at the time.
“The Committee Report shows that the implementation of the project was by and only between the respondents who arrogantly usurped the authority of the Board of Regents of CatSU…,” Rodulfo said.
No consultation process attended the implementation of the project and, at the time the complaint was filed, there was no MOA as to who would receive and maintain the building, with either CatSU or the Virac LGU having no funds for its operation, the complainant added.
He asked for the preventive suspension of the two officials, who he said committed gross misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a public official, causing undue injury to the government and giving the private contractor unwarranted benefits through manifest partiality, evident bad faith and gross and inexcusable negligence in violation of RA 6713.