Sandiganbayan: No bail for ex-DPWH officials in road dike incident

A petition for reconsideration of bail from nine former Department of Public Works and Highways officials involved in an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro was denied by the Sandiganbayan’s sixth division.

The decision was said to have been issued due to a “lack of merit” in the motions pursued, which stated that the defendants were merely conducting work that was part of their official duties.

Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez together with Associate Justices Kevin Narce Vivero and Lord Villanueva maintained that the ruling was not a means to implicate guilt but was weighed based on the eligibility for bail.

It further stated that the documents processed by the accused for the purpose of their supposed “routine” had approved the release of funds for the purpose of the defective project.

The former officials are currently undertaking hearings on malversation cases into the P420 million collapsed road dike that brought about flooding to Oriental Mindoro in December of 2024.

As part of the investigation, various ex-DPWH officials along with former congressman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co were ordered for arrest last November.

Prior to the issuance of the warrant, Co had already fled the country and was subsequently labeled as a fugitive from justice.

The nine individuals currently reside at jail facilities in Camp Karingal and Payatas in Quezon City.

The following hearing on the case will be conducted on April 7 where a representative of the Anti-Money Laundering Council will testify in the trial.