Ex-Caloocan mayor asks Ombudsman to charge Rep. Asistio over P79.2M ghost flood control projects

₱79.2 million in flood control projects across Caloocan's 3rd District that a 27-page complaint affidavit describes as ghost or grossly overpriced work. On May 21, 2026, former Caloocan mayor Rey Malonzo filed the complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman against incumbent 3rd District Rep. Dean Asistio, DPWH district engineer Ruel Umali, and six private contractors. The complaint seeks charges of graft, malversation, and falsification of public documents. It cites specific projects: a ₱19.2 million and a ₱6.7 million flood control project, both in Barangay 187 in Tala, and an ₱11.7 million road project in Barangay 159. Malonzo's affidavit alleges several of the projects have no visible existence on the ground, are misrepresented, or are grossly substandard, and argues Asistio is liable as a co-conspirator because his name appears on the project signages and the contracts fall within his district. Asistio has not responded publicly to the Malonzo complaint. He was among the lawmakers named in the September 2025 Senate flood control inquiry by contractors Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya. In a sworn affidavit before the Independent Commission on Infrastructure dated November 24, 2025, he called the kickback allegations "pure lies" and said he never asked for or received money from the Discayas.