The Department of Justice announced that three flood control cases against SYMS Construction Trading and former DPWH officials have been transferred to Quezon City Regional Trial Court branches. DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the cases were originally filed in Bulacan courts in January and February. Pre-trial hearings are set for April.
MANILA, Philippines — Department of Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said three flood control cases concerning SYMS Construction Trading have been transferred to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. In a message to reporters on March 18, he noted the malversation cases were originally filed in Bulacan courts on January 30, February 9, and February 13, following a Supreme Court administrative matter on handling flood control cases. Two of the three cases will have pre-trial hearings on April 3 at Quezon City RTC Branch 79. The cases involve alleged anomalous flood control projects with former DPWH assistant engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, along with others, who are detained at the New Quezon City Jail. SYMS contractor Sally Santos and former DPWH engineer Henry Alcantara were excluded from the charge sheets after becoming state witnesses. According to Rappler, the cases include graft under RA 3019 Section 3(e), malversation under RPC Article 217, and falsification by public officer. They were transferred to QC RTC branches designated as special courts for flood control corruption cases. Arraignments occurred in March, with pre-trials scheduled for April 13 in some instances, though reports differ on exact dates.
