Ombudsman files first graft case in flood scandal

THE Philippine anti-graft body on Tuesday formally filed criminal charges for graft and malversation against a former lawmaker and several Public Works officials before the Sandiganbayan, marking the first batch of cases brought to the court amid the flood control project scandal.

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The Office of the Ombudsman, through Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV, said the complaints were filed against former Partylist Rep. Elizaldy "Zaldy" S. Co, several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region IV-B (Mimaropa), including the Regional Director, assistant directors, project and materials engineers, and division chiefs, and the board of directors of Sunwest Corp. as private respondents.

The officials face charges of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents, and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019). Mr. Co additionally faces charges for receiving unwarranted financial benefits.

The complaints stem from a P289.5million road dike project along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, which the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) flagged for serious irregularities in procurement, construction, and implementation.

An inspection last Sept. 9, conducted by Public Works Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon and Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito "Bonz" A. Dolor, found that the steel sheet piles used for the dike were grossly below the required 12-meter specification, with embedded lengths totaling only about 3 meters. The material was also deemed substandard.