The Sandiganbayan on Wednesday held a special raffle to assign the cases filed against former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, DPWH Region 4B officials, and Sunwest Construction over the P289-million road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
The Fifth Division, chaired by Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses, will handle the complaint for alleged violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which covers “causing any undue injury to any party, including the government…” through partiality, bad faith or gross negligence. Its other members are Associate Justices Maryann Corpus-Mañalac and Gener Gito.
The Seventh Division, led by Associate Justice Loriefel Pahimna, will oversee the case for alleged violation of Section 3(h) of the same law involving having “financial or pecuniary interest” in transactions connected to one’s official functions. Associate Justice Georgina Hidalgo sits in the division, which currently has one vacancy. A special member may be assigned to fill the seat.
The Sixth Division, chaired by Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez and composed of Associate Justices Lord Villanueva and Kevin Vivero, will handle the malversation charge.
The Ombudsman filed the cases on Tuesday, marking the first criminal complaints tied to the flood control scandal.
“This is the first of many cases,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said.