DPWH exec admits relying on contractor reports

MANILA, Philippines — The project engineer in the allegedly substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro told the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division on Thursday that he had to rely on the reports of contractor Sunwest at times when he or his staff could not personally monitor or inspect construction work.

Felisardo Casuno, who used to be with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region IV-B office, used the lack of personnel as his defense when he testified before the court where he faces a charge of malversation through falsification of public documents.

Casuno was the project engineer who prepared the certificate of inspection (COI) for the P289-million road dike project. The COI meant that the project followed approved plans, specifications and quality standards.

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READ: Witness: DPWH yet to give Sunwest P14M meant to fix defects

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Accused’s denial

The former DPWH official, however, maintained that he did not falsify the COI.

Sunwest was cofounded by resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, one of Casuno’s co-accused.

The multimillion project was supposed to have 12-meter-long steel sheet piles (SSPs). Public Works Vince Dizon, however, said after an inspection that the SSPs were only three meters long.

READ: Ex-DPWH exec in Zaldy Co case to cite lack of equipment as defense

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Casuno told the court that he was present only in one of the three instances the SSPs were installed in 2024. He said he was not able to assign one of the three personnel under him to observe the other instances.

Casuno told Associate Justice Kevin Vivero that he and the three personnel were in charge of over 60 infrastructure projects in the region. Because of the lack of personnel, he admitted that sometimes, they have to rely on the reports of contractors. /cb