Ex-Pampanga Rep. Dong Gonzales faces graft cases over infrastructure projects

MANILA — Former Pampanga Third District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales is facing three counts of graft before the Sandiganbayan over alleged conflict of interest involving infrastructure projects. 

The anti-graft court’s Judicial Records Division made the confirmation on Friday morning after the Office of the Ombudsman personnel filed the cases.

The cases were raffled off to the Sandiganbayan Second, Third, and Seventh Divisions.

The Second Division, led by Presiding Justice Geraldine Econg, also handles the graft case against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada over the alleged flood control kickback scheme.

The Third Division, chaired by Associate Justice Karl Miranda, is handling the plunder cases against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as well as the malversation case against former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

Meanwhile, the Seventh Division, chaired by Associate Justice Lorifel Pahimna, ordered the archiving of the graft case against former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co after authorities failed to locate and arrest him for more than six months.

The graft-busting body is expected to hold a press conference in the afternoon to provide more details on the projects involved in the charges against Gonzales.

Earlier, it accused Gonzales, who is reportedly linked to A.D. Gonzales Construction, of being a so-called “congtractor,” a term for lawmakers who also own or manage construction firms holding contracts with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

“Congtractor ‘yan eh… People didn’t believe that there would be accountability whatsoever in violating the law, harap-harapan kasi nga walang manghuhuli. Bawal iyan eh. It’s a prohibited activity, it’s a conflict of interest found in so many laws on corruption so mahirap na makatakas diyan,” Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla previously said. 

Gonzales served as House senior deputy speaker during the 19th Congress.