Manila: The Sandiganbayan on Wednesday assigned the charges filed against former lawmaker Elizaldy 'Zaldy' Co to three of its divisions, in relation to irregularities in a PHP289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

According to Philippines News Agency, the court allocated one count of graft, docketed as Case No. SB-25-CRM-0039, against Co and several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways, along with the board of directors of Sunwest Corp., to the 5th Division headed by Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses. The malversation charge against Co and others (SB-25-CRM-0041) was assigned to the 6th Division, chaired by Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez. Another graft charge (SB-25-CRM-0040), solely against Co for receiving 'unwarranted financial or pecuniary benefits,' went to the 7th Division, under Associate Justice Lorifel Lacap Pahimna.

The Office of the Ombudsman had previously requested the urgent raffle of these cases to expedite the processing of criminal charges against individuals associated with the alleged fraudulent flood control projects.

Ombudsman Jesus Remulla stated that Co could no longer assert that certain companies' actions are distinct from his personal interests. Co has been historically linked to Sunwest. "We always understand companies as separate entities than people, but if it is used as a device to escape liability, then the court will step in and say that they can be one and the same person," Remulla remarked in a press briefing.

Remulla also expressed his inclination to believe allegations that certain Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretaries acted in their personal interests by invoking the President's name to push for insertions approved by Congress.