LGU official testifies on Mindoro road dike observations in bail hearing of DPWH-Mimaropa execs

MANILA — A local government official on Thursday testified on his observations of the Mindoro road dike project during the bail hearing of nine Department Of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Mimaropa officials who are co-accused of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co in a malversation case.

Nestor Asi, chairman of Barangay Tagumpay in Naujan, took the witness stand before the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division to describe the state of the project during several visits to the site, which was located in his village. 

Asi said he personally saw three meters of the six-meter steel sheet piles being driven into the ground, while the remaining portion was cut off. 

An earlier inspection by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor found that the steel sheet piles installed in the project measured only 2.5 to 3 meters, short of the 12 meters required under the contract’s Detailed Engineering Design.

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When asked by the court how he determined the measurements, Asi said they were based on his own calculations and noted he had prior experience working as a construction laborer.

The defense questioned why Asi made visits to the construction site since the project was not a barangay initiative.

Asi said barangay officials checked the site around three times a week to monitor flood mitigation efforts in their barangay, which is prone to flooding.

He also testified that portions of the project undertaken by Sunwest Inc. were damaged in 2024 and in December 2025, when water entered a gap in the structure and flowed toward another barangay. 

On the same day, Abraham Panaligan, a construction and maintenance officer of the Naujan Municipal Engineering Office, took the witness stand to verify what was written in his judicial affidavit. 

On Feb. 3, a Commission on Audit technical auditor is scheduled to testify in the bail hearing. 

Dolor is also expected to take the witness stand on Feb. 4, followed by COA auditor Victoriano Acosta on Feb. 5.

DPWH-Mimaropa officials Gerald Pacanan, Gene Altea, Ruben Delos Santos Jr., Dominic Serrano, Lerma Cayco, Felisardo Casuno, Dennis Abagon, Juliet Calvo and Montrexis Tamayo earlier pleaded not guilty to charges of malversation and graft before the anti-graft court. 

Co and several other accused remain at large.

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