The lone representative of Catanduanes, Congressman Eulogio R. Rodriguez, could face removal from office if an ethics complaint is filed against him due to alleged conflict of interest.
Last week, the congressman’s name was included among the so-called “politicontractors” in a Rappler report that identified public officials “who have owned, currently own, or whose family member owns a company that won government contracts bankrolled by taxpayers.”
Since the solon’s assumption on June 30, 2022, E.R. Rodriguez Construction Corporation reportedly headed by his wife, Merlinda A. Rodriguez, had been awarded at least three (3) flood control projects in Metro Manila by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) National Capital Region.
These are the Construction of Revetment along Paranaque River North (Phase 2), Parañaque City, awarded on April 17, 2023 at a contract cost of P98,995,281.56; Construction of Slope Protection and Groundsill Structure along Villanueva Creek near Schilling Lane, San Dionisio, Parañaque City, awarded on July 10, 2023 at a contract cost of P96,129,000.00; and Construction of Revetment along Paranaque River Mouth (North Side) Paranaque City awarded on August 14, 2023 at a contract cost of P98,997,516.14.
Also signed by DPWH-5 Regional Director Virgilio Eduarte and Merlinda Rodriguez of ERR Construction on June 29, 2022, just a day before the congressman took office was the now controversial Minaabat road opening contract from the national road at Villa Aurora, Viga to the beach at Sicmil, Gigmoto, costing P54,968,885.81.
Documents attached to the graft complaint filed against RD Eduarte and Rodriguez show that the contract became effective on July 5, 2022.
Construction of the project had been plagued by delays and unapproved variations from the plans, with the contractor recently resuming work on the project it had abandoned in early 2024.
Two months earlier on May 16, 2022, the company based in Batalay, Bato also won the Rehabilitation of Pasig-Marikina River Channel, Brgy. Bagong Ilog and Brgy. Kapasigan, Pasig City, at a contract amount of P93,099,243.36.
It also undertook the Improvement of Ilugin River, Pasig City, on February 22, 2022 at a cost of P9.3 million.
On the same year, on April 8, 2022, ERR implemented the Construction of Flood Control in Tilod, Baras that was awarded by the DPWH Regional Office No. 5 at a cost of P19.3 million, as well as another flood control project in Buenavista, Baras worth P18.5 million on April 8, 2022.
Likewise, it constructed the P44-million Batalay seawall in Sta. Elena, Bato on March 2, 2022, implemented by the DPWH Catanduanes District Engineering Office.
The projects were listed in the SumbongsaPangulo website as well as the list of projects undertaken by the DPWH in its own website.
The same records show that while ERR did not enter into any infrastructure contract with the DPWH Catanduanes DEO after June 30, 2022, it managed to win the three flood control projects in Parañaque City.
The Tribune also learned that ERR Construction Corporation has a sister company, Euro Construction and Supply, allegedly registered in the name of one of the congressman’s daughters, Eula Merl A. Rodriguez, and sharing the same office address as ERR in Batalay, Bato.
In March 2022, Euro won a P29.3-million seawall construction project in Palawig, San Andres, with the project reportedly completed in May 2023.
The same company was also awarded by DPWH NCR two flood control projects in Paranaque City: the Construction of Revetment along Villanueva Creek (Near Agana Circle), Parañaque City, on July 11, 2024, at a cost of P14.2 million; and the Construction of Revetment near Salvador Bridge (Upstream Side), San Isidro, Parañaque City, on May 23, 2023 at a cost of nearly P49 million.
Section 14 of the Philippine Constitution prohibits any Senator or House member from appearing as counsel before any court of justice and also states that “(N)either shall he, directly or indirectly, be interested financially in any contract with, or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned or controlled corporation, or its subsidiary, during his term of office.”
Sen. Ping Lacson recently revealed that at least 67 congressmen served as contractors for their own government-funded infrastructure projects.
A veteran lawyer said an ethics complaint could be filed against Cong. Rodriguez as well as the other politician contractors before the House of Representatives, with removal from their posts as the penalty.