Politics · Philippines Bureau
Ex-DPWH official to blame lack of equipment in Zaldy Co graft case
A former Department of Public Works and Highways official accused alongside ex-Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co in a malversation case will claim insufficient construction equipment hindered proper verification of a road project's compliance with government standards.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The alleged absence of proper construction equipment will be cited as a key defense by a former DPWH official in the high-profile malversation case involving ex-Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co and nine other government officials before the Sandiganbayan's Sixth Division.
The defense strategy centers on claims that the lack of necessary equipment made it impossible to "correctly verify" whether the Sunwest project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro met required government standards. The charges against Co and the DPWH officials stem from the controversial P289.4-million infrastructure project.
The case represents one of several graft investigations targeting high-ranking officials in the public works sector. The Sandiganbayan, the country's anti-graft court, has been hearing cases involving allegations of irregular fund disbursements and improper project implementation in infrastructure development initiatives.
The defense's equipment-shortage argument suggests that implementation difficulties, rather than intentional wrongdoing, may have contributed to any project deficiencies. Legal proceedings in the case are expected to continue as both prosecution and defense present their respective arguments before the tribunal.