Dizon willing to testify again in future trials vs Zaldy Co, others

MANILA, Philippines — New Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Wednesday expressed his willingness to testify once again in future trials of former lawmaker Zaldy Co and other personalities implicated in flood control scandal. 

Dizon was asked if he would still take the witness stand before the Sandiganbayan if he is asked to do so even if he is no longer with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). 

READ: DPWH chief Dizon testifies in Sandiganbayan graft case vs Zaldy Co

“Syempre, kung ano’ng kailangan sa atin ng Ombudsman gagawin natin kasi kailangan tuloy-tuloy na makulong sina Zaldy Co,” Dizon told reporters in an interview. 

(Of course, whatever the Ombudsman needs me to do, we will do it because Zaldy Co [and other personalities involved] need to be jailed.)

Dizon last testified last on September 23, in the graft case of former lawmaker Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division. The case stemmed from the P289.4-million worth of alleged anomalous project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. 

READ: Dizon on flood control probe vs Co, others: Our evidence is strong

The court issued arrest warrants in November 2025 against Co and his co-accused from the DPWH and Sunwest Corp. on charges stemming from alleged irregularities in the project, mainly after it was found to have structural deficiencies. The findings were made after Dizon took over as secretary following the resignation of Manuel Bonoan in September 2025.

Dizon also testified in Co’s malversation case in January this year, where he later told reporters that he believes that the evidence in the case is “strong.” 

Dizon personally inspected the project where he said that the sheet piles installed were substandard. /jpv