DPWH exec admits relying on Sunwest reports at times amid staff shortage

MANILA, Philippines — The project engineer of the allegedly substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro told the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division on Thursday that he needed to rely on the reports of contractor Sunwest at times when he or his staff were not around to personally inspect the activities for the project.

Felisardo Casuno, former engineer of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) of Region IV-B, made such remarks when he testified on Thursday to defend himself in his malversation case through falsification of public documents before the court.

Sunwest was co-founded by resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, one of the co-accused in this case. 

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The P289 million worth project by Sunwest was supposed to have 12-meter steel sheet piles (SSPs), but inspection of DPWH chief Vince Dizon revealed that it only had three meter SSPs.

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

Casuno told the court that there were three SSP pile driving activities made for the project in 2024, but he was only physically present at one of them. 

He also said he was not able to delegate staff to observe the two other activities.

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

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Associate Justice Kevin Vivero asked why Casuno could not ask somebody to be there to observe such a “critical activity.”

Casuno said he only has three personnel under him, who is already in charge on more than 60 infrastructure projects in Region IV-B under his responsibility. 

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When pressed as to why he could not bring personnel to check the two other SSP pile driving activities, Casuno said: “Because of the number of projects my personnel have to do rotations with, somehow, your honor … the reports of contractors, we sometimes have to rely on their report.”

Casuno was the one who prepared the certificate of inspection (COI) for the project. 

His counsel Dustin Jay Condez asked the court to show him the COI if he could recognize it.

“Yes, this is the document I prepared,” he said in response.