Sunwest workers intentionally install sheet piles without presence of DPWH execs — witness

MANILA — Workers of the construction firm linked to former congressman Zaldy Co had intentionally installed steel sheet piles (SSP) into a road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro without the presence of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Mimaropa officials, a witness said on Wednesday.

Barangay Tagumpay, Naujan chairman Nestor Asi testified at the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division, which is conducting the graft trial of Co and former DPWH-Mimaropa officials over an alleged substandard road dike project by Sunwest.

Asi recounted that he had visited the project site numerous times. He had noticed that Sunwest workers installed the SSPs starting around 7 p.m. and that no DPWH-Mimaropa officials were present during installation. 

The chairman added that workers stop the installation activity when they see him at the site.

During the cross examination, a defense counsel asked Asi whether or not he thinks Sunwest workers intentionally conduct the activity when DPWH officials are not around. 

The prosecution objected, saying the question asks for speculation. The court, however, allowed the witness to answer.

Asi responded that he thinks it was intentional because the workers installed the SSPs at night. 

The chairman also said he had visited in the morning and observed that no installation activities were conducted.

Asi added that the steel sheet piles were only three meters, which is shorter than the required length.

He raised his concern to Naujan’s Construction and Maintenance foreman Abraham Panaligan. Asi sent photos to Panaligan through a messaging app.

Panaligan likewise testified that he saw the short SSPs when he visited the project site. He set a meeting together with Asi and Sunwest’s project engineer, who explained that the three-meter SSPs were only used for a cofferdam.

The next hearing is scheduled on Nov. 11. Two prosecution witnesses are expected to testify.