DPWH witnesses not cleared of charges in flood control scandal

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said three former DPWH officials and a contractor remain liable for charges linked to anomalous flood control projects despite their admission to the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).

Dizon made the statement while testifying before the Sandiganbayan during the bail hearing of former DPWH-Mimaropa officials and resigned Ako Bicol party-list representative Elizaldy Co.

“Being a state witness does not mean that they are acquitted of all charges but only have immunity from criminal liabilities in cases where they can provide credible evidence for the prosecution,” Dizon said.

He was referring to former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, dismissed Bulacan 1st District engineer Henry Alcantara, former DPWH National Capital Region regional director Gerard Opulencia, and Syms Construction Trading owner and manager Sally Santos.

The four were admitted to the WPP after authorities evaluated their testimonies and their willingness to return alleged kickbacks from ghost and anomalous flood control projects. Dizon said the witnesses had been carefully examined and vetted by the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Dizon said the state witnesses also have the duty to identify the “brain” behind the anomalous flood control projects. As for the cases against Co and other respondents, he said the government is confident it has an airtight case.

“That is the instruction of the President to the DPWH - to ensure that our cases are solid. We believe that we have a solid case. With these cases, we can easily convict the individuals we are now accusing,” he added.

Dizon said the material and testimonial evidence gathered would allow the government to file more solid cases against those linked to the flood control scandal.

Co, along with some DPWH officials and private individuals, including members of the board of directors of Sunwest Corp., has been tagged as allegedly behind the anomalous P289-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro. The project was contracted to Sunwest Corp., a construction firm also owned by the Co family.

They are facing charges of malversation through falsification and two counts of graft before the Sandiganbayan. This is the first case against Co since the President exposed anomalous flood control projects nationwide in his State of the Nation Address in July 2025.