FORMER Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials assigned to Bulacan and five other co‑accused have entered not guilty pleas before the Sandiganbayan to graft charges stemming from an alleged ₱77‑million “ghost” flood control project in Balagtas, Bulacan.
The accused — including Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, both former DPWH‑Bulacan officials — formally denied the accusations during their arraignment. They had previously entered identical pleas in a separate but related case charging them with malversation of public funds over the same scheme.
Prosecutors allege that the project was listed as completed and paid in full despite never actually being built, representing a substantial loss of public funds intended for flood mitigation. Also charged in the consolidated cases is former Ako Bicol party‑list Representative Zaldy Co, who remains at large and has not appeared before the court. The anti‑graft court has yet to issue further orders regarding Co’s status and the issuance of a warrant should he fail to surrender.
With the not guilty pleas entered, the Sandiganbayan will proceed to schedule the pre‑trial conference and subsequent hearings where both sides will present their evidence and witnesses. The court is expected to determine shortly whether proceedings against the remaining accused will move forward separately from Co, given his continued absence. The alleged scheme is among several flood control project anomalies that have come under scrutiny by investigators and lawmakers in recent months.
metrosundaily
