Lamppost scam arraignment set

The Sandiganbayan has set on June 16 the arraignment of a regional director and eight other officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in two of seven cases stemming from alleged overpricing of decorative lampposts put up during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Cebu last year.

The anti-graft court’s Fifth Division, which handles the two cases, ordered the DPWH officials to appear at the 2 p.m. hearing on June 16 and submit their plea.

Summoned were DPWH regional director Robert Lala; Gloria Dindin, former assistant director for Region 12; Marlina Alvizo, assistant director and chairman of the Bids and Awards Committee of the regional office; Pureza Fernandez and Cresensio Bagolor, officer-in-charge and assistant chief, respectively, of the Maintenance Division; and Agustinito Hermoso, Luis Galang, Res­tituto Diano, and Buena­ventura Pajo, all BAC members.

Also ordered to appear during the arraignment were Gerardo Surla, chairman of Gampik Construction and Development Inc.; and Isabelo Braza, president and chairman of Fabmik Construction and Equipment Supply Company Inc.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Radaza and city engineers Julito Cuizon, Fernando Tagaan Jr. and Rodelio Veloso were likewise directed to appear in the hearing as respondents in the case. – Edu Punay