Metro Manila, Philippines – Eight of the 16 accused in an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro pleaded not guilty before the Sandiganbayan for their graft charge on Thursday, Nov. 27.
The case is in connection to the P290 million substandard road dike in Naujan town, contracted by Sunwest Inc., where former House appropriations chairman Zaldy Co was tagged as a beneficial owner.
This came after the government took custody of nine out of 16 people – all officers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Mimaropa – who were facing graft and malversation charges with the anti-graft court.
Those who pleaded not guilty are as follows:
- Gerald Pacanan – former regional director of Department of Public Works and Highways Mimaropa
- Gene Ryan Altea Allurin – assistant regional director;
- Ruben Santos Jr. – assistant regional director;
- Dominic G. Serrano – chief, construction division;
- Felisardo Casuno Sevare – project engineer III;
- Lerma Cayco – accountant IV; and
- Dennis Abagon – OIC chief of quality assurance and hydrology division
- Montrexis Tamayo – OIC-chief, planning and design division
Meanwhile, Juliet Calvo, one of the accused taken under government custody, was not able to attend the arraignment as the court has not issued a produce order for her appearance.
Calvo, maintenance division chief of the DPWH Mimaropa, posted a P90,000 bail for her graft charge on Nov. 24.
On Wednesday, Nov. 26, Ombudsman Boying Remulla confirmed that Calvo was re-arrested for a non-bailable malversation case, of which the other accused are also facing.
The arraignment for the malversation charge is set on Dec. 2.
Seven others, including Co remain at large.
