Accused in Mindoro flood mess now in jail

After their surrender and arrest over the weekend, eight public works officials charged with graft and malversation of public funds intended for flood control projects have been ordered detained by the Sandiganbayan at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facilities in Quezon City, while awaiting arraignment set for Nov. 27 and Dec. 2.

- By ELIZABETH MARCELO

The eight officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 4-B (Mimaropa), who are co-accused of resigned Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, were presented yesterday by authorities before the anti-graft court for booking procedure.

Marcos unveils DPWH transparency portal. See Page 4.

Seven of them voluntarily surrendered to the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group while one was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation.

The development came as President Marcos vowed a relentless pursuit of personalities linked to the multibillionpeso flood control corruption scandal.

"This will be relentless. We will not stop," the President said in a video on social media.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office said Marcos met yesterday with the heads of agencies involved in the implementation of the arrest warrants against those indicted for graft and malversation in flood control anomalies.

Among the officials who met with Marcos in Malacañang were Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida.

The Sixth and Fifth Divisions of the Sandiganbayan issued warrants for the suspects’ arrest last Friday.

Presented before the Sandiganbayan yesterday were DPWH Region 4-B regional director Gerald Pacanan, assistant regional directors Gene Ryan Altea and Ruben D.S. Santos Jr., Construction Division chief and Bids and Awards Committee chairman Dominic Serrano, Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division officer-in-charge and BAC member Dennis Abangon, project engineer Felisardo Casuno, accountant Lerma Cayco and Maintenance Division chief Juliet Calvo.

Only Calvo was allowed to post bail amounting to P90,000 for her case of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.