Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759127389694cropped-photo-collage.png (1).png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>ICI chairman Andres Reyes, Jr. and other personnel personally filed the complaints against Zaldy Co and others at the Office of the Ombudsman this afternoon. ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA (2nd UPDATE) -- The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Monday recommended the filing of cases at the Ombudsman against Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and other officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for alleged irregularities in a P290-M flood control projects in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. ICI Spokesperson Brian Hosaka and ICI Chairman Andres Reyes, Jr. personally filed the complaints at the Office of the Ombudsman this afternoon. The P289.5 million road dike project in Mag-Asawang Tubig River followed a different detailed engineering design, according to the ICI, only executing 2.5 - 3 meter steel sheet piles despite the 12-meter requirement written on the contract. Aside from this, the investigative commission noted alleged irregularities and deficiencies in documentation regarding progress billings.ICI identified Sunwest Inc., a firm linked to Co,  as the project contractor. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/21/dizon-tags-zaldy-co-sunwest-inc-in-substandard-flood-projects-in-oriental-mindoro-1228">READ: Dizon tags Zaldy Co, Sunwest Inc. in &#x27;substandard&#x27; flood projects in Oriental Mindoro</a></div>&quot;While Cong. Co claims to have divested his interests, reports suggest he may potentially retain beneficial ownership. The Commission underscores that additional evidence is needed to establish any definitive connection,&quot; the commission said in a statement. Pressed if the ICI established proof regarding Co’s links with Sunwest, Hosaka said, this was for &quot;further review by the Ombudsman and the Commission.&quot; &quot;Mayroon ding impormasyon na ang Sunwest Inc. ay dating pagma-may-ari ni Congressman Zaldy Co. At dahil dito, nagrekomenda ang ICI sa Ombudsman na ipagpatuloy ang kanilang imbestigasyon tungkol sa proyektong ito,&quot; he said.&quot;Nakalagay doon, alam namin for a fact na dati siyang connected sa Sunwest,&quot; Hosaka told reporters after the filing. He said they would ask Co to go to the commission for their continuous probe.Also named in the report were Gerald Pacanan, DPWH Mimaropa Region IV-B&#x27;s regional director and 16 other officials from the DPWH office and Sunwest&#x27;s officers. <div> </div><div>&#x27;MARAMI PANG DARATING&#x27;</div>&quot;Ito po ang kauna-unahang pag-file at pag-submit ng rekomendasyon sa ICI sa Ombudsman, marami pang darating at magsusumikap ang ICI para mapabilis ang proseso nang hindi nagsa-sakripisyo sa quality ng ating trabaho. Kailangan natin maging masinop,&quot; said Hosaka.Hosaka said the ICI needs to be &quot;careful&quot; and vowed that they would not allow the investigative body to be used for any political agenda.Asked why they chose to file the cases first for Sunwest and Co, he said: &quot;Ang ICI ay nagba-base sa ebidensya. The stronger evidence they have, the more complete the evidence we have. That is the time we will file our recommendation to the Ombudsman.&quot;&quot;Hindi kami basta-basta nagre-rely, umaasa sa mga single testimony o affidavit lang. Kailangan natin ito suriin, kailangan natin ito pag-aralan para malakas ang ating kaso. Hindi ito basta-basta madi-dismiss,&quot; he said.In its report, the ICI said it is the prerogative of the Ombudsman &quot;to determine appropriate charges to be filed against erring public officials and private individuals.&quot;Among those cases recommended to be filed include violation of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), Malversation of Public Funds, Falsification of Public Documents by a Public Officer, and violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act.Asked why they recommended the filing of a malversation case against the individuals, Hosaka said this was based on the pieces of evidence gathered.&quot;Tandaan niyo, ang kaso ay nasa Ombudsman, sila din ang magsusuri niyan para malaman nila. Based on their investigation and documents we submitted kung ano ang kaso ang kanilang isasampa,&quot; he said. The ICI also recommended the filing of administrative cases against the individuals, such as violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and other possible violations under the Civil Service Rules and Regulations.Hosaka also said former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and the Discaya couple may be invited to appear before the commission, though their attendance has yet to be confirmed. Former DPWH Bulacan assistant engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza will also return to the commission as resource persons, according to Hosaka.DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon had previously tagged Co and Sunwest Inc behind five of the seven substandard flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro.&quot;Diretsahan na lang tayo. Si Congressman Zaldy Co, hindi lang congressman. Siya din ay naging Committee on Appropriations chairman... Si Congressman Zaldy Co ay founder ng Sunwest. Diretsuhan na tayo,&quot; said Dizon last week.Co has earlier been accused of proposing billions of pesos in insertions in the 2025 national budget that funded some allegedly anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects.He has denied the allegations.Co&#x27;s travel clearance was revoked last week by House Speaker Faustino Dy III. He has been given until September 29 to return to the country and &quot;address pressing national matters&quot; or risk facing disciplinary and legal actions. On September 26, Co wrote to Dy, saying that he has &quot;every intention of returning to the Philippines.&quot; -- with a report from Kaxandra Salonga, ABS-CBN News

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Monday recommended the filing of cases against Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and some officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over the P290-M flood control project in Mindoro.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Monday recommended the filing of cases against Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and some officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over the P290-M flood control project in Mindoro.

ICI recommends raps vs Co, other DPWH officials amid 'irregularities' in P290-M Mindoro project

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ICI recommends raps vs Co, other DPWH officials amid 'irregularities' in P290-M Mindoro project

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 29, 2025 02:11 PM PHT

|

Updated Sep 29, 2025 07:44 PM PHT

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flood control

flood control projects

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Ako Bicol

Independent Commission for Infrastructure

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Department of Public Works and Highways

DPWH

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