Dizon: Evidence 'rock solid' in P289-M Oriental Mindoro flood control case

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday assured the public that the government’s evidence against those allegedly responsible for the substandard P289-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro is “rock solid.”

Dizon made the statement while testifying at the Sandiganbayan during the ongoing bail hearing of former Department of Public Works and Highways officials charged with malversation in connection with the allegedly anomalous flood control project.

The bail hearing stems from petitions filed by the accused former DPWH officials, including regional and assistant regional directors, division chiefs, project engineers, and members of the Bids and Awards Committee, all facing charges over the questioned project.

Dizon said the government’s case is supported by clear evidence gathered during inspections.

He said that based on project plans, the structure should have measured 12 meters, but only about three meters were observed on site. He added that the damage became evident after just one typhoon, requiring a complete overhaul to correct the deficiencies.

According to Dizon, the condition of the project showed that it was not intended to be completed as designed.

The DPWH chief said he is confident the Sandiganbayan will side with government prosecutors and deny the accused temporary liberty.

Earlier, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano told reporters that inspections showed steel sheet piles with an exposed length of 2.5 meters and only 0.6 meters embedded in the pile cap, totaling about three meters—far short of the 12-meter specification stated in the project’s Detailed Engineering Design.

Dizon appeared before the Sandiganbayan to testify in the bail hearing involving former DPWH-MIMAROPA officials and former Ako Bicol party-list representative Elizaldy Co, who is linked to the flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

The project was undertaken by Sunwest, the construction firm allegedly connected with Co.