The GenSan right-of-way scam is now facing court proceedings after the Office of the Ombudsman filed graft and malversation charges against six former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and seven private individuals over alleged irregularities involving ₱491.9 million in government land compensation.

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan against six former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and seven private individuals over an alleged ₱491.9-million road right-of-way scam in General Santos City.

The cases were filed on November 3, 2026, involving alleged irregularities in government payments for land supposedly affected by the construction of the Digos-Makar National Road in Barangay Lagao, General Santos City.

According to the Ombudsman, investigators found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction against the respondents. The alleged scheme involved the use of falsified documents to obtain government compensation for land acquisitions.

36 Criminal Charges Filed Before Sandiganbayan

The Ombudsman filed 18 counts of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents under Articles 217 and 171 of the Revised Penal Code.

Another 18 counts were filed for alleged violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The six former DPWH Region XII officials facing charges include former Regional Director Subair Saro Diron, former Assistant Regional Director Laureano B. Suan Jr., Tomas Marquez Rodriguez, David Lucena Padlan, Paisal Amerol Padate, and Ansare Mariga Busran.

Seven private individuals were also included in the cases: Wilma Olarte Mamburam, Nelson Ti, Evelyn Parilla Paloso, Rudy Hadji Ong, Marisa Tiongson Seguirre, William Perla Uy, and Paul Michael Pabas Bagio.

The cases were subsequently raffled to the Sandiganbayan’s seven divisions.

Alleged Use of Fake Documents in Land Compensation

The investigation centered on payments involving 18 parcels of land that were supposedly affected by the construction of the Digos-Makar National Road.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) submitted three investigation reports in 2018 and 2019, which formed part of the basis for the Ombudsman’s investigation.

A 2017 sworn statement from witness Roberto S. Catapang Jr. also detailed the alleged scheme. Catapang claimed that a group, working with public officials, obtained government funds by fabricating and submitting documents purportedly supporting land acquisition claims.

The Ombudsman said the DPWH Region XII Technical Working Group approved the release of ₱491,931,120.20 to claimants who were later found to have submitted falsified supporting documents.

Investigators also questioned the valuation used to calculate compensation for the properties.

According to the Ombudsman, an appraisal value of ₱3,500 per square meter from 2009 was allegedly applied to properties that had been acquired by the government during the early 1990s.

The use of the later appraisal rate allegedly resulted in inflated right-of-way compensation claims and contributed to the release of public funds amounting to nearly ₱492 million.

Former DPWH Official Also Faces Administrative Penalties

Apart from the criminal cases, the Ombudsman previously ordered the dismissal of former DPWH Region XII Legal Officer Ansare Mariga Busran in a separate administrative ruling related to the controversy.

The administrative decision included accessory penalties, such as the forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from holding public office, according to earlier reports.

The filing of the criminal cases marks another development in the investigation into alleged irregularities involving government right-of-way payments in General Santos City.

The respondents will have the opportunity to answer the allegations through the legal proceedings. The charges remain allegations, and the accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.