Eight of the 16 individuals charged in relation to the stalled P289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro appeared Monday before the Sandiganbayan for booking and the issuance of commitment orders.
The booking procedure involves capturing the accused persons’ fingerprints, and the commitment order will determine where they will be detained while the criminal charges proceed.
The eight who appeared included
Gerald Pacanan, regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) MIMAROPA region, Gene Ryan Altea, DPWH assistant regional director, Ruben D.S. Santos, DPWH assistant regional director, Dominic Serrano, DPWH construction division chief and chair of the Bids and Awards Committee, Juliet Calvo, DPWH maintenance division chief, Dennis Abagon, DPWH OIC-chief of the Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division, and BAC member, and Felisardo Casuno, DPWH project engineer III.
Meanwhile, eight other respondents — including former party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and several officials and board members of Sunwest Construction — have yet to surrender.
The case stems from charges of graft and malversation filed by the Office of the Ombudsman on November 18.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has urged the remaining accused to surrender, warning those assisting them that they too will be held accountable.
The president stressed that no special treatment will be given, and that the accused will remain in custody of the National Bureau of Investigation while the court processes their orders.
The next step is for the Sandiganbayan to issue the detention orders determining each respondent’s custody status pending the resolution of the charges.