DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and Laguna Governor Sol Aragones inspect an unfinished hospital ward at Laguna Medical Center in Santa Cruz, Laguna, on April 10, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA (UPDATED) — Laguna Governor Sol Aragones and several provincial officials are facing graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged irregularities in a program that provided free review assistance for exam takers.
One of the complainants, Association of Barangay Councils (ABC)-Laguna President and provincial board member Lorenzo Zuñiga Jr., alleged the provincial government's Professional Review Hub program, which provides review assistance to exam takers, did not undergo proper bidding and procurement process.
"Ang sabi po doon sa kondisyones ay cash voucher ang ibibigay, hindi cash. Pangalawa, meron pong legal opinion ang aming provincial legal office na this falls under the Republic Act 9184. Ang ibig sabihin, kailangan pong i-bid ito. Subalit wala po itong bidding na nangyari," Zuniga said.
He also alleged that some beneficiaries received P15,500 despite not attending a review program and allegedly submitted fake diplomas as supporting documents.
"Nakatanggap sila ng P15,500… noong September 5, 2026 na hindi naman sila nag-review at sa katotohanan ang isinabmit para sa kanila ay mga pekeng diploma para lamang makuha ang P15,500," he said.
He said the provincial government had budgeted P11.5 million for the program, but the approved agreement did not specify the amount to be paid to the review center.
"Dapat po kung kayo'y makikipagkontrata, sa sino man, gobyerno to gobyerno man, na may babayaran o ilalabas na pondo ang gobyerno, dapat nakalagay doon kung magkano ang ating financial responsibility," he said.
Zuniga also questioned the lack of details in the program, including the specific types of examinees covered by the review hub.
"Wala pong nakalagay na mga detalye doon po sa programang ipinaaprubahan," he said.
Meanwhile, Calamba City Councilor Christian Niño Lajara said the project was questionable because it allegedly lacked ratification from the provincial board and other review centers offered similar services at lower prices.
He said they began looking into the program last year but encountered difficulty obtaining documents from the provincial government.
"Hinahayaan po natin ang Ombudsman na magtumingin para dito. Nag-start kaming tumingin at mag-imbestiga at magtanong siguro noong last year pa. Kaya lamang sadya na ayaw nilang ilabas yung mga dokumento. Kaya napilitan na po kami pumunta rito sa ombudsman para hingiin yung tulong ng ombudsman doon sa mga katanungan po namin," Lajara said.
He said he could not confirm if the review program was administered or supervised by the Civil Service Commission.
Other respondents named were Provincial Budget Officer Jocelyn Jimenez-Litan, Accountant Joiphylen Bacanto, Provincial Treasurer Fely Cruz, Assistant Government Department Head Carina Macalos and Dr. Annaliza Victoriano, president of the Professional Academic Review Center.
The officials were accused of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
'MASAMANG LAYUNIN'
In a statement, Aragones condemned the posting of the complaint on social media before she and the other respondents had received an official copy of the complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman.
She said the move was intended to damage her reputation.
"Malinaw na nagpapakita ng masamang layunin at layong manira lamang ng reputasyon," Aragones said in a statement.
"Nakakalungkot na sa halip na ituon ang pansin sa paglilingkod, inuuna pa ang ganitong uri ng pamumulitika," she added.
Aragones said she would not compromise her integrity or accountability in public service.
"Kailanman ay hindi natin isasakripisyo ang ating integridad at pananagutan sa pampublikong paglilingkod," she said.
She added that the provincial government would issue a full and formal statement after receiving and reviewing the official complaint.
Aragones said they were still waiting for a copy of the complaint so their legal team could study the allegations.