Ex-DPWH engineers plead not guilty in P92.8-million Pandi floodgate case

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers in Bulacan entered not guilty pleas during their arraignment before the Sandiganbayan over graft charges linked to the alleged P92.8-million floodgate project in Pandi town.

The accused are former assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez, engineer Jaypee Mendoza, and cashier Christina Mae Pineda.

Following the arraignment, the court scheduled the stipulation of facts, marking of exhibits, presentation of evidence, and preliminary conference on 13 February 2026.

Earlier, the Sandiganbayan set the arraignment of their co-accused — former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., engineer R.J. Domasig, and accountant Juanito Mendoza — on 9 February 2026.

The pretrial for Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Pineda, and engineer Emelita Juat — who previously pleaded not guilty on 23 January 2026 — was scheduled for 19 February 2026.

Revilla and his co-accused are facing charges for violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division. They are also charged with malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents under Article 217 in relation to Articles 171 and 172 of the Revised Penal Code before the Third Division.

The former lawmaker and his co-accused are currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas.

Based on the information filed, Revilla and his co-accused allegedly conspired to facilitate the release of about P76 million for the supposed construction of a P72.8-million flood control project in Purok 5, Barangay Bunsuran, Pandi town.

However, official inspections and witness accounts showed that the project was “never implemented.”

The charges further stated: “Despite the absence of any actual construction, the accused declared the project completed abd to facilitate the release of the entire project cost, falsified accomplishment reports, issued fraudulent billing documents, and endorsed disbursement vouchers.”