Ex-DPWH Usec Bernardo to testify in Zaldy Co’s graft case

MANILA, Philippines — State witness and former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo is set to testify before the Sandiganbayan against former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and his co-accused in a graft case involving an alleged substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.

Assistant Special Prosecutor Peter Jedd Boco told the court they will present Bernardo at the next trial on October 7.

Wednesday’s trial saw the testimony of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, who inspected the assailed project in September last year.

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READ: Dizon: Unlike Edsa rehab, road dike in Co’s case is unfixable

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Co’s graft case stemmed from the P289.4 million project handled by Sunwest in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro which prosecutors said was found to have serious structural deficiencies. 

Co, said to be a beneficial owner of Sunwest, was also the chairperson of the powerful House committee on appropriations before his resignation as a party-list representative in September last year amid the widespread public outrage on the multibillion flood control corruption scandal. 

Co could not participate in the trial as he was earlier declared by Sandiganbayan as a fugitive from justice. 

A respondent declared as a fugitive from justice could no longer participate in the proceedings and could not seek any judicial relief unless they  surrender voluntarily. /gsg