Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Cong. Zaldy Co at Cong. Jil Bongalon lead the turn-over of Solar Home Systems in Brgy. Galicia, Rapu-Rapu, Albay on May 23, 2025.   AKo Bicol Partylisyt

Article (news)

Rep. Zaldy Co

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177251912183720251114-ako-bicol-rep-zaldy-co-ABPL9.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Cong. Zaldy Co. <em>Photo from Ako Bicol Partylist/ ABS-CBN News file</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><em>Prosecution presents Oriental Mindoro provincial engineer as witness </em></strong></div><div><strong></strong><br/></div><p>MANILA —  The Sandiganbayan began Tuesday the trial of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and nine former officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for their malversation case over the P289.5-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.</p><p>This, despite the absence of Co, who remains at large. The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division had already declared him a “fugitive” from justice.</p><p>For today’s hearing, the prosecution presented Oriental Mindoro Provincial Engineer Edylou Tejido as witness, questioning him on the manner of inspection for the road dike project conducted on September 7, 2025.</p><p>During the cross-examination, defense counsels asked Tejido about his role being Oriental Mindoro’s provincial engineer. He responded that part of his mandate includes ensuring that projects spearheaded by the province follow the standards set.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong> INSPECTION OF ROAD DIKE PROJECT</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The road dike project in question, meanwhile, cannot be considered as a provincial infrastructure project, he said, since the funds came from the national government.</p><p>“Kapag ang project ay downloaded ang funds sa provincial government, dun magkakaroon ng access [for inspection],” said Tejido.</p><p>“Pero as long as hindi ito dinownload samin sa provincial government, hindi kami nakakapag-conduct ng [checks],” he added.</p><p>Asked if he informed Sunwest Inc. that they would conduct inspection on a Sunday, he responded in the affirmative, saying his advance party informed the firm as early as 8 a.m.</p><p>The inspection happened at 11 a.m. that day, he said.</p><p>When they sought for any authorized representative from Sunwest, Tejido said the guards informed them that no one was available, as the project engineer had “prior engagements.”</p><p>“My intention was to report to the [governor] since he is the one who gave me the instruction,” he said, referring to the inspection.</p><p>Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Kevin Vivero asked the witness if he asked the guards if the project engineer would still come.</p><p>“Dun nila sinabi na hindi sila makakarating. May prior engagement that time kaya hindi makakarating sa activity na yun,” said Tejido.</p><p>“Did you ask if [another] representative could come?” Vivero asked.</p><p>“Yes. Naghanap kami ng ibang pupunta. Sabi nila walang ibang available na tao,” the engineer said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;DEPUTIZED&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Tejido said he brought up the alleged irregularities to the DPWH regional office, citing the reports about the projects.</p><p>“Ang alam ko ay nagkaroon ng action dito ang regional office. Pinatawag ang contractor sa irregularities na nangyari and after nun di ko alam ang development,” he said.</p><p>He admitted, however, that he did not coordinate with the DPWH Mimaropa regarding the inspection. He also admitted that he personally has no written authority for the inspection, but he believes he was deputized for the inspection through the governor.</p><p>He added there was a letter later on indicating that DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon will go to the project site for an inspection on <a href="https://ormindoro.gov.ph/2025/09/09/dpwh-sec-vince-dizon-dumating-sa-oriental-mindoro-para-inspeksyunin-ang-flood-control-project-sa-naujan/"><strong>Sept. 9</strong></a>.</p><p>ABS-CBN News attempted to interview Tejido for more clarifications, but he and his legal counsel declined to comment.</p><p>Meanwhile, DPWH-Mimaropa officials Gerald Pacanan, Gene Altea, Ruben Delos Santos Jr., Dominic Serrano, Lerma Cayco, Felisardo Casuno, Dennis Abagon, Juliet Calvo and Montrexis Tamayo were present during the first day of the trial.</p><p>All of them earlier pleaded not guilty to the malversation charge.</p><p>The trial will continue on Thursday, with the prosecution scheduled to present lawyer RJ Bernal – the chief counsel of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Company Registration and Monitoring Department.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CTz8aDj5HNQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bs7hmpuRmZA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gFm7M9GWN5g?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Sandiganbayan began Tuesday the trial of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and nine former officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for their malversation case over the P289.5-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.</p>

The Sandiganbayan began Tuesday the trial of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and nine former officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for their malversation case over the P289.5-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.

Sandiganbayan begins trial of Zaldy Co, DPWH Mimaropa execs over Mindoro dike

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Sandiganbayan begins trial of Zaldy Co, DPWH Mimaropa execs over Mindoro dike

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News,

Published March 03, 2026 02:46 PM PHT

Read More:

Sandiganbayan

Zaldy Co

DPWH

Oriental Mindoro

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