P92.8-M flood control project in Bong Revilla case had no materials test report

A Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer on Wednesday testified that the P92.8 million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, the subject of the malversation case against former senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., and six others, was certified complete despite lack of construction materials testing report.

DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office (DEO) Quality Assurance Section chief Ferdinand Vergara Jr. told the Sandiganbayan Third Division that the materials engineer and project engineer should have ensured that a construction materials testing report is attached to the progress report of the project before signing it for payment.

“Wala pong naka-attach na [construction materials] test result. Sa DO (Department Order) 11, dapat po may test report,” Vergara replied to the question of Sandiganbayan Third Division chairperson and Associate Justice Karl Miranda.

(There was no construction materials test result attached. There should be a test report.)

Vergara said that once the construction materials test result has already been released, it should be reviewed by the materials engineer, then the project engineer and ultimately, the chief of construction.

The project engineer for the P92.8 million Pandi, Bulacan project is Engineer Arjay Domasig, while the materials engineer is Engr. Emelita Juat. Both Domasig and Juat are Revilla’s co-accused in the malversation case.

Vergara added due diligence was absent on the construction of the flood control project.

“Dapat kumpleto po lahat ng requirements. Dapat sine-secure po nila na andun iyong test report bago pumirma,” he said.

(The requirements should be all be there. They should secure that there is a test report before signing.)

Revilla’s other co-accused in the case include:

• former DPWH Bulacan First DEO Assistant District Engr. Brice Hernandez,
• former DPWH First DEO Assistant District Engineer Jaypee Mendoza,
• former DPWH First DEO finance section chief Juanito Mendoza, and
• former DPWH Bulacan First DEO Engineering Office cashier Christina Pineda

—AOL, GMA News