DPWH officials seek bail despite non-bailable malversation charges

MANILA, Philippines – Nine officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are asking the court to grant them bail, even though they are charged with malversation of public funds, a crime generally considered non-bailable.

The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division recently terminated hearings on their bail petitions, meaning the judges have heard all arguments and will now decide whether the officials can be temporarily released while their trial moves forward.

Crimes involving large sums of public funds — like the P289.5 million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro linked to the case — are non-bailable by default. Still, the DPWH officials argued that the prosecution’s evidence is not strong enough to justify keeping them in detention.

In its February 10, 2026 order, the Sandiganbayan directed the prosecution to submit its evidence and provide copies to each defendant. The defendants may then file written comments or objections, and both sides are given three days to submit memoranda if they deem it necessary.

This order was signed by Associate Justices Sarah Jane Fernandez, Kevin Narce Vivero, and Lord Villanueva.

Even as the bail decision is pending, the main trial is set to start on March 3.

The case stemmed from a complaint by Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, who alleged irregularities in the construction of a road dike along Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Barangay Tagumpay, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Aside from the DPWH officials, the case involves resigned Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, who remains at large, and the company Sunwest, which handled the project and is linked to Co.

The DPWH officials named in the case are:

• DPWH-Region 4B Regional Director Gerald Pacanan
• Assistant Regional Director Gene Ryan Altea
• Assistant Regional Director Ruben delos Santos Jr.
• Construction Division Chief Dominic Serrano
• Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division officer-in-charge Dennis Abagon
• Project engineer Felisardo Casuno
• Planning and Design Division officer-in-charge Montrexis Tamayo
• Maintenance Division chief Juliet Calvo
• Bids and Awards Committee accountant Lerma Cayco

Also named as defendants are Sunwest president and BoD chairperson Aderma Angelie Alcazar and BoD members Cesar Buenaventura, Noel Cao, Consuelo Aldon, and Anthony Ngo. – Rappler.com