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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider COA technical auditor testifies on 'substandard materials used' in P289-M flood control project in Oriental Mindoro

COA technical auditor testifies on 'substandard materials used' in P289-M flood control project in Oriental Mindoro

Published Feb 3, 2026 03:55 pm
A technical auditor of the Commission on Audit (COA) testified before the Sandiganbayan on Tuesday, Feb. 3, that the materials used in the P289 million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro were either lacking or substandard.
Auditor Raymundo Manalo testified against the petition for bail in the non-bailable malversation of public funds filed against former congressman Zaldy Co and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region IV-B officials. The DPWH officials filed the petition for bail.
Co has been abroad. He filed a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) challenging his indictment on the Naujan project.
Manalo told the justices of the Sandiganbayan’s sixth division that the sheet piles they inspected last September measures only three meters while the contract specified 12 meters.
Associate Justice Sarah Jane T. Fernandez questioned Manalo what the purpose of the sheet piles were, and he explained that these are set up to reinforce dikes so that projects can flourish.
The defense, in turn, attempted to discredit Manalo as it pointed out that he was not a structural engineer or designer.
But Manalo countered that he has been working as an engineer since 1985, and has had 40 years of experience.
Ombudsman prosecutors will be presenting Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito "Bonz" Dolor as its witness on Feb. 4, followed by COA Auditor Victoriano Acosta on Feb. 5.
Co’s co-accused in the graft and malversation of funds cases were DPWH Region IV-B Regional Director Gerald A. Pacanan, Assistant Regional Director Gene Ryan A. Altea, Assistant Regional Director Ruben D. Santos, Jr., Construction Division Chief Dominic G. Serrano, Project Engineer III Felisardo S. Casuno, Accountant IV Lerma D. Cayco, Maintenance Division Head Juliet Calvo, officer-in-charge Chief of Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division Dennis Pelo Abagon, and Planning and Design Division officer-in-charge Montrexis Tamayo. They pleaded “not guilty” when arraigned by the anti-graft court.
The female accused are now detained at Camp Karingal in Quezon City while the male accused were turned over to Payatas new jail facility.
Co and his co-accused are also facing a graft case for alleged violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act before the court’s fifth division. Co also has a separate graft case before the seventh division.
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