Untitled

flowchart TD
A["START: COMPLAINT FILED<br>Who: DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon<br>When: September 11, 2025<br>Where: Office of the Ombudsman<br>Vs: 20 Bulacan 1st DEO Personnel &<br>4 Private Contractors<br>Basis: Presidential Directive & DPWH Investigation<br>Laws: RA 3019, RPC Malversation, RPC Falsification, RA 9184"]
A --> B

subgraph B[STAGE 1: Preliminary Investigation Ombudsman]
    direction TB
    B1["Institution: Office of the Ombudsman<br>Role: Evaluate Sufficiency & Find Probable Cause<br>Mechanism: Independent Constitutional Body"]
    B1 --> C{"Sufficient in Form/Substance?"}
    C -- No --> D["Case Dismissed"]
    C -- Yes --> E["Ombudsman Orders Respondents<br>to File COUNTER-AFFIDAVIT"]
    E --> F["Parties Submit Evidence &<br>Reply-Affidavits"]
    F --> G["Ombudsman Issues a RESOLUTION"]
end

G --> H{"Resolution: Probable Cause?"}
H -- No --> D
H -- Yes --> I

subgraph I[STAGE 2: Formal Charges Filed]
    I1["Institution: Office of the Ombudsman<br>Role: Formally Charge Respondents<br>Mechanism: Prosecutor & Quasi-Judicial Power"]
    I1 --> J["ADMINISTRATIVE TRACK<br />Formal Charge for Grave Misconduct, etc.<br />Penalties: Dismissal, Suspension, Fine"]
    I1 --> K["CRIMINAL TRACK<br />File Criminal Information before<br />the SANDIGANBAYAN<br />Charges: Violation of RA 3019, Malversation, etc.<br />Penalties: Imprisonment, Fines"]
end

J --> L["FORMAL HEARING<br />Ombudsman Adjudicates<br />Decision: Guilty or Not Guilty"]
L --> M["Penalty Imposed<br />e.g., Dismissal from Service"]
M --> N["APPEAL to COURT OF APPEALS<br />Institution: Judiciary<br />Role: Review for Grave Abuse of Discretion<br />Mechanism: Judicial Review"]
N --> O["APPEAL to SUPREME COURT<br />Institution: Highest Court<br />Role: Final Arbiter of the Law<br />Mechanism: Final Judicial Review"]

K --> P["ARREST & ARRAIGNMENT<br />Institution: Sandiganbayan<br />Role: Issue Warrants, Take Plea"]
P --> Q["CRIMINAL TRIAL<br />Institution: Sandiganbayan<br />Role: Conduct Trial, Evaluate Evidence<br />Mechanism: Trial by Judge"]
Q --> R["VERDICT: Acquittal or Conviction"]
R --> S["APPEAL to SUPREME COURT<br />Institution: Highest Court<br />Role: Final Arbiter<br />Mechanism: Final Judicial Review"]