The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered a six-month preventive suspension of 12 officials implicated in the controversial flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. Among them are DPWH maintenance division chief Juliet Calvo and other high-ranking personnel. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano confirmed that the suspension stems from an administrative case filed alongside criminal charges. Last month, the Sandiganbayan issued arrest warrants against former Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and others over graft and malversation linked to the substandard P289.5-million river dike project. Most of the accused are now in custody, while Co and two other suspects are reportedly abroad.
