A P92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, linked to the malversation case against former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and six others, was certified as completed despite the lack of a required construction materials testing report, a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer told the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday.
Testifying before the Sandiganbayan Third Division, DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office (DEO) Quality Assurance Section chief Ferdinand Vergara Jr. said the project’s progress report did not include the mandatory construction materials test results required under Department Order 11.
“There were no test results attached. Under DO 11, a test report is required,” Vergara said in response to a question of Sandiganbayan Third Division chairperson and Associate Justice Karl Miranda.
Vergara explained that standard procedure requires the construction materials test results to undergo review by the materials engineer, followed by the project engineer, before final approval by the chief of construction.
The project engineer in the case was identified as Arjay Domasig, while Emelita Juat was a materials engineer. Both are among Revilla’s co-accused in the malversation case.
Vergara said there appeared to be a lack of due diligence in the implementation of the flood control project, adding that the officials should have ensured that all documentary requirements were completed before payments were approved.
“All requirements must be completed. They should ensure that the test report is included before signing,” he said.
Aside from Revilla, the other accused include former DPWH Bulacan First DEO assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez, former assistant district engineer Jaypee Mendoza, former finance section chief Juanito Mendoza, and former cashier Christina Pineda.
