The Ombudsman, filed graft and malversation cases against former congressman Zaldy Co and several officials of the DPWH over alleged anomalies in the flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
A case of malversation and two cases of graft have been filed in connection with the P289.5-million road dike project on the Mag-Asawang Tubig River. It is alleged that P8.8 million of funds is missing and there is falsification of documents. This is non-bailable and can lead to life imprisonment.
The Ombudsman panel recommended no bail for the malversation case because the amount lost exceeded the limit. According to Assistant Ombudsman Dominic Clavano III, Co was charged for allegedly receiving unwarranted benefits from contractor Sunwest Inc.
Prosecutors also filed an urgent request for arrest warrants and hold departure orders for all respondents. The Ombudsman said this is the “first case of many” to be filed in court as multiple investigations are still ongoing.
According to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), there were misuses and substandard steel sheet piles in the project, which could cause more than P63 million in losses to the government. The ICI also reported that Co may have received benefits from the project and may have connections with Sunwest.
The Ombudsman issued a statement that they will handle the case honestly, independently, and without favoritism, and will ensure that those involved are held accountable. Justice Secretary Remulla also said that the story of former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo appears “credible,” and that more cases are expected to be filed against several senators and congressmen.
