DPWH Chief Testifies Against Former Lawmaker in Graft Case

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Wednesday testified before the Sandiganbayan in the graft case against former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co regarding the alleged anomalous flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. "May allegations na of irregularities doon sa proyektong 'yun. Sinabi na ni Governor [Humerlito 'Bonz'] Dolor sa akin personally at marami na 'yung mga news reports at that time," Dizon said in an ambush interview. (There are allegations of irregularities in that project. Governor Dolor told me personally and there were many news reports at that time," Dizon said in an ambush interview. "Pagdating ko nga doon, kitang-kita na talagang substandard 'yung proyekto. So para sa akin, klarong-klaro ito," he added. (When I arrived there, it was obvious that the project was substandard. So for me, it is very clear.) The Ombudsman charged Co and several former DPWH officials over the P289-million road dike project in Naujan involving contractor Sunwest Inc., which has alleged links to Co. Dizon said it would be impossible to rectify the Naujan project without demolishing the existing structure. He added that the project used three-meter sheet piles, despite the requirement for 12-meter sheet piles. "Impossible talaga kasi para palitan nila lahat ng sheet pile na three meters at gawing 12, gigibain 'yung buong structure na nagawa nila, 'di iba?" he said. (It's really impossible for them to replace all the three-meter sheet piles with 12 because they have to demolish the entire structure they've built.) "So, hindi excuse yung sinasabi ng abogado ng Sunwest at saka ng abogado ng iba kasi obvious na obvious na talagang binaboy nila 'yung proyektong ito," he added. (So, what Sunwest's lawyer and then the other lawyers were saying is not an excuse because it is very obvious that they were really botching this project.) — VDV, GMA News