MANILA — A former official of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the MIMAROPA region who is facing a malversation case said he is not required to inspect infrastructure projects and that it would be impossible to personally check all of them.
Former DPWH Planning and Design Division officer-in-charge Montrexis Tamayo testified on Tuesday ar the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division’s continuation of the malversation trial over a supposed anomalous road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
Tamayo said field personnel, including project engineers, are tasked with conducting the inspections. They then submit reports to the implementing office, which is the Construction Division.
Oriental Mindoro gov testifies on P289-M road dike project in Naujan
Tamayo’s lawyer Cecilio Jimeno pointed out that there were around 945 projects under the supervision and implementation of DPWH-MIMAROPA in 2024.
He then asked the former official how being required to inspect them would affect him.
Tamayo said if he had been required to inspect all projects, he would not have time for other duties.
Tamayo’s co-accused in the case are resigned congressman Zaldy Co and other officials of the DPWH-MIMAROPA.
The trial will resume on August 13 after counsel asked that the next two hearings be cancelled as preparations of the defense are underway.