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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Rock-solid' evidence leaves officials exposed in P289-M Oriental Mindoro dike case – Dizon

'Rock-solid' evidence leaves officials exposed in P289-M Oriental Mindoro dike case – Dizon

Published Jan 20, 2026 04:07 pm

At A Glance

  • Evidence against DPWH officials in Oriental Mindoro dike case described as "rock solid" by Sec. Vince Dizon.
  • Steel sheet piles measured only three meters, far below the 12-meter design, risking collapse.
  • Former officials face malversation charges over the alleged ghost flood control project.
  • Dizon confident Sandiganbayan will deny bail for the accused.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon (Photo: DPWH)
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon (Photo: DPWH)
Government evidence against officials behind the P289-million Oriental Mindoro road dike is “rock solid,” Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said on Tuesday, Jan. 20, as inspections found the project substandard and at risk of collapse.
Dizon made the remarks while testifying in the ongoing bail hearing of former DPWH officials facing malversation charges over the alleged ghost flood control project.
He pointed out that the steel sheet piles measured only three meters, far short of the 12 meters specified in the Detailed Engineering Design.
“One typhoon alone, it would tear everything apart, destroy everything [that would need fixing]. They really had no plan to finish it,” Dizon said.
The accused include:
Gerald Pacanan, DPWH regional director
Gene Ryan Altea, DPWH assistant regional director
Ruben D.S. Santos, DPWH assistant regional director
Montrexis Tamayo, DPWH OIC-chief of the Planning and Design Division
Dominic Serrano, DPWH construction division chief and BAC chairperson
Dennis Abagon, DPWH OIC-chief of Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division and BAC member
Juliet Calvo, DPWH Maintenance Division Chief
Lerma Cayco, DPWH accountant IV; and
Felisardo Casuno, DPWH project engineer III
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavan earlier confirmed that measurements showed only 2.5 meters of steel sheet piles exposed with 0.6 meters embedded in the pile cap.
The findings were far below the design, reinforcing claims that public funds were misused and raising serious concerns over accountability.
Dizon expressed confidence the Sandiganbayan will deny bail, saying the evidence leaves “no room for doubt” against the accused.

Related Tags

DPWH Vince Dizon Sandiganbayan Oriental Mindoro road dike substandard project
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