Three separate divisions of the Sandiganbayan will handle the criminal cases filed against resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, and Sunwest Corporation directors, the anti-graft body disclosed through its website yesterday.
This was decided through a special raffle conducted to decide which Sandiganbayan divisions would be tasked to handle specific cases.
The raffling off of cases was held one day after the Ombudsman’s office filed corruption and malversation of public funds charges against the respondents.
In particular, the charges filed against Co and the others pertained to an alleged anomalous P289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
The Sandiganbayan’s website shows that the first case (alleged violation of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) will be handled by the anti-graft court’s fifth division, composed of Associate Justices Zaldy V. Trespeses, Maryann E. Corpus-Manalac, and Gener M. Gito.
The second graft case with Co as the only accused is assigned to the court’s seventh division, composed of Associate Justices Lorifel Lacap Pahimna and Georgina D. Hidalgo.
The third case (malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents) was raffled to the court’s sixth division composed of Associate Justices Sarah Jane T. Fernandez, Kevin Narce B. Vivero, and Lord A. Villanueva, the website also showed.
Also charged were DPWH Region IV-B Regional Director Gerald A. Pacanan III, Assistant Regional Director Gene Ryan A. Altea, Assistant Regional Director Ruben C. Santos Jr., Project Engineer III Felisardo S. Casuno, Materials Engineer Timojen A. Sacar, and Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division OIC-Chief, Accountant IV Lerma D. Cayco, Planning and Design Division OIC-Chief Montrexis T. Tamayo, Maintenance Division Chief Juliet C. Calvo, and the board of directors of Sunwest Corporation.
Sources at the Sandiganbayan explained that hearings to determine probable cause would likely be held soon, and these would serve as the basis for the possible issuance of arrest orders, as the Ombudsman has recommended no bail for respondents.
Meanwhile, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya are next to be charged in court over their alleged role in anomalous flood control projects.
“The way I see it, the next cases to be filed are against the Discayas. Some of these cases have already undergone preliminary investigation. It’s already submitted for resolution,” he said in a mixture of Filipino and English.
Remulla also has confirmed that Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Dong Gonzales is once more being investigated—this time over his supposed role in a family-owned construction firm that secured ₱1.6 billion worth of DPWH projects since 2016.
Based on 2025 Securities and Exchange Commission filings, obtained by Bilyonaryo News Channel, AD Gonzales Jr. Construction & Trading Co. Inc. is led by Gonzales’ children, who occupy top executive positions.
As this developed, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) announced it had decided to delay submitting complaint referrals to the Ombudsman concerning three current and former senators.
This decision is made in light of a new affidavit by former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, which requires further investigation, as the ICI seeks a thorough and transparent process before finalizing any charges.
“We are reevaluating everything because of the affidavit of Usec. Bernardo. We are studying that. So, we’ll have a delay of maybe 10 days from last Friday. Hopefully, we’ll finish it,” ICI chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. said.
Bernardo has expressed willingness to become a state witness, intending to provide testimony against the individuals, including lawmakers, involved in several anomalous flood control projects in the country.
