DPWH exec in flood control mess pleads not guilty
MANILA, Philippines — Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Mimaropa maintenance division head Juliet Calvo, linked to alleged anomalies in a flood control project, pleaded not guilty to a graft charge before the Sandiganbayan on Tuesday.
Calvo entered her plea during her arraignment before the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division.
The Sandiganbayan also stated that Calvo paid a P90,000 cash bond in connection with her graft case.
Her eight co-accused — DPWH Mimaropa officials, earlier arrested in connection with the alleged anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro — had already pleaded not guilty during their separate arraignment last week before the same division.
READ: DPWH exec in flood control case last seen in Israel — CIDG
Those who earlier entered a not guilty plea were:
- Dennis Pelo Abagon, OIC-chief, DPWH Mimaropa Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division; regular member, Bidding and Awards Committee (now OIC-chief, Planning and Design Division)
- Gerald A. Pacanan, DPWH Mimaropa regional director
- Gene Ryan Alurin Altea, assistant regional director (now director, DPWH Bureau of Maintenance)
- Ruben delos Santos Santos Jr., assistant regional director
- Dominic Gregorio Serrano, chief, DPWH Mimaropa Construction Division
- Felisardo Sevare Casuno, project engineer III
- Lerma Dotado Cayco, DPWH Mimaropa Bidding and Awards Committee Account IV
- Engr. Montrexis Tamayo, OIC, DPWH Mimaropa Planning and Design Division
All officials are currently in government custody and will be arraigned again before the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division for their malversation charge. /das
