Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Mimaropa OIC regional director testified Tuesday at the bail hearing of nine regional officials who are the co-accused of former lawmaker Zaldy Co in a malversation case over alleged anomalies in a road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.  </p><p>DPWH-Mimaropa OIC regional director Editha Babaran replaced former regional chief Gerald Pacanan in August 2025, after the latter was suspended following an investigation into irregularities in flood control projects.</p><p>During the hearing, Babaran identified documents attached to her judicial affidavit and confirmed inspection reports conducted by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon last September.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/12/sandiganbayan-oks-dpwh-hr-to-testify-in-mimaropa-execs-bail-hearing-1721">Sandiganbayan OKs DPWH HR to testify in Mimaropa execs&#x27; bail hearing<br/></a></div><p>Before Babaran underwent cross-examination, the defense questioned several pieces of evidence presented by the prosecution. They argued these were not among the exhibits marked during pretrial.</p><p>For their part, the prosecution explained that the additional evidence was obtained only recently.</p><p>The court, presided by Associate Justice Sarah Fernandez, directed the prosecution to convert the provisional markings on the exhibits identified by Babaran as permanent.</p><p>Atty. Marlou Ubano, defense counsel for accused Pacanan, also asked Babaran if she could produce a copy of the summary of projects under her wing.</p><p>The court, however, said the defense should not &quot;utilize&quot; the prosecution&#x27;s witness to establish its case.</p><p>It also reminded the defense that cross-examination must be limited to matters related to the documents already in the witness’ possession.</p><p>An Independent Commission for Infrastructure representative is expected to take the witness stand on Jan. 14, followed by a representative from Land Bank of the Philippines’ EDSA-NIA branch on Jan. 15.</p><p>DPWH-Mimaropa officials Juliet Calvo, Gerald Pacanan, Gene Altea, Ruben Delos Santos Jr., Dominic Serrano, Lerma Cayco, Felisardo Casuno, Dennis Abagon and Montrexis Tamayo earlier <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/2/9th-dpwh-mimaropa-official-pleads-not-guilty-to-graft-over-flood-control-mess-0926">pleaded not guilty </a>to charges of malversation and graft in two separate Sandiganbayan divisions.</p><p>In November 2025, the anti-graft court issued arrest warrants and hold departure orders against Co and 15 other DPWH officials and Sunwest Inc. representatives over the P289.5-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.</p><p>Co and several of his co-accused remained at large.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7z_ym5vIlNM?si=KGewIAKfM8zBOmRS" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Mimaropa OIC regional director testified Tuesday at the bail hearing of nine regional officials who are the co-accused of former lawmaker Zaldy Co in a malversation case over alleged anomalies in a road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.</p>

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Mimaropa OIC regional director testified Tuesday at the bail hearing of nine regional officials who are the co-accused of former lawmaker Zaldy Co in a malversation case over alleged anomalies in a road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.

DPWH-Mimaropa official testifies in execs’ bail hearing

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DPWH-Mimaropa official testifies in execs’ bail hearing

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 13, 2026 12:55 PM PHT

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Updated January 13, 2026 04:15 PM PHT

Read More:

Sandiganbayan

flood control

DPWH

Mimaropa

court

trial

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