Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Zyann Ambrosio

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — Bansud, Oriental Mindoro Vice Mayor Alma Mirano appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday to explain the arrest of a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer inside her property.</p><p>Dennis Abagon, Officer-in-Charge of the DPWH Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division and a regular member of the Bids and Awards Committee, faced an arrest warrant over a substandard flood control project in Naujan.</p><p>He was <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/23/dpwh-engineer-tagged-in-flood-control-mess-arrested-nbi-0927">arrested at Mirano&#x27;s apartment building</a> in Sikatuna Village, Quezon City in November.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/2/dpwh-execs-tagged-in-anomalous-mindoro-project-plead-not-guilty-to-malversation-1534">READ: DPWH execs tagged in anomalous Mindoro project plead not guilty to malversation</a></div><p>Mirano went to the NBI Technical Intelligence Division with her lawyer, bringing lease contracts and land titles, to clear her name. She previously claimed that Abagon was only renting her apartment.</p><p>&quot;Hindi ko po siya kaibigan at hindi ko po siya masyadong nakakausap, bale nakausap ko po siya dalawang beses lang po,&quot; she said.</p><p>She said that Abagon&#x27;s staff had arranged the rental when they began occupying the unit on October 3, 2024.</p><p>Mirano denied claims that she hid or protected Abagon.</p><p>&quot;Kailanman ay hindi ako magkukupkop ng sinumang tao na magnanakaw,&quot; she said.</p><p>The NBI said the Vice Mayor&#x27;s documents prove Abagon was only leasing her property even before the flood control controversy erupted.</p><p>&quot;Nagbigay siya sa amin ng contract of lease at transfer certificate of title sa mga properties kung saan nahuli namin si Engineer Dennis Abagon,&quot; NBI–TID Chief Atty. Christopher Hernandez explained. &quot;Itong mga ebidensyang ibinigay sa amin proves na si Dennis Abagon ay umuupa sa bahay na &#x27;yon even before the controversy ng flood control emerged,&quot; he said.</p><p>Hernandez said the documents show Abagon had been renting the house as early as 2024, while the property was acquired by the vice mayor in 2020.</p><p>While the vice mayor denies any personal connection to Abagon, the NBI noted that the lease itself establishes a link. </p><p>&quot;Itong contract of lease, may koneksyon indirectly kasi nga umuupa sa kanya. That&#x27;s connection enough,&quot; Hernandez stressed, clarifying however that there is no link yet to the flood control project.</p><p>The NBI said it is now focusing on possible cases of obstruction of justice and harboring a criminal. </p><p>&quot;Ang focus ng investigation namin ngayon kay Vice Mayor is obstruction of justice at harboring a criminal si Engineer Dennis Abagon,&quot; Hernandez said, adding that investigators are still determining if the current evidence is sufficient.</p><p>Hernandez also denied claims that the vice mayor served as a tipster. </p><p>&quot;From the very beginning, sinabi naman namin na hindi namin siya asset. Wala kaming natanggap na tip mula sa kanya,&quot; Hernandez said.</p><p>He said the operation was conducted purely by the NBI Intelligence Division with assistance from other units.</p><p>The official added that while anonymous calls were received, none were treated as confirmed tips. </p><p>&quot;Kailangan naming makasiguro na nandoon talaga si Engineer Abagon, kaya nag-verify kami through neighbors and other information,&quot; he explained.</p><p>The NBI said it is reviewing additional documents submitted by the vice mayor, and once affidavits are completed, prosecutors will determine whether criminal charges will be filed.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/6/remulla-more-arrest-warrants-on-flood-control-mess-out-in-next-2-weeks-1844">Remulla: More arrest warrants on flood control mess out in next 2 weeks</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/6/-i-am-an-easy-target-bong-revilla-denies-alleged-link-to-flood-control-mess-1154">‘I am an easy target’: Bong Revilla denies alleged link to flood control mess, says name used to twist truth</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/3/flood-control-saga-nearing-endgame-pco-says-1220">Flood control saga &#x27;nearing endgame,&#x27; PCO says</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><iframe width="1100" height="619" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jBaZMntEREo" title="PANOORIN: Pag-aresto kay Engr. Dennis Abagon ng DPWH MIMAROPA | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Bansud, Oriental Mindoro Vice Mayor Alma Mirano appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday to explain the arrest of a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) inside her property.</p>

Bansud, Oriental Mindoro Vice Mayor Alma Mirano appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday to explain the arrest of a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) inside her property.

Oriental Mindoro vice mayor faces NBI over DPWH exec’s arrest

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Oriental Mindoro vice mayor faces NBI over DPWH exec’s arrest

Zyann Ambrosio,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 09, 2025 12:15 PM PHT

|

Updated December 09, 2025 05:37 PM PHT

Read More:

Bansud

Oriental Mindoro

Alma Mirano

DPWH

corruption

flood control

baha

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