SYMS Construction Trading owner, Sally Santos, was placed under Senate protective custody, as the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee resumed its hearing on the anomalous flood control projects on Thursday, September 18.
During the hearing, Senator JV Ejercito questioned Santos about the kind of system that the first engineering district in Bulacan had.
“Noong nakaraang hearing, nabanggit niyo po na ang kalakaran sa first engineering district ay humihiram sila ng lisensya. At kayo po ang isa sa nahiraman at si Wawao. Sino pa po ‘yung ibang contractor na nahiraman niyo ng lisensya?” Ejercito inquired.
Santos responded, stating, “Mr. Chair, Your Honor, pwede po ba bago ako magsalita. Pwede po ba humingi ako ng proteksyon?”
Before granting Santos’ request, Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” Lacson clarified that the former needs to be truthful with the committee, including in her written testimony. Otherwise, her request for physical protection would be revoked.
“Nagkakaintindihan po tayo na mawawala ang inyong proteksyon kapag kayo ay nagsinungaling,” Lacson asked, prompting Santos to agree.
Bulacan 1st engineering district
Santos had previously mentioned that Bulacan’s first engineering district had a notorious reputation concerning project bidding.
When Ejercito questioned which contractors she borrowed a license from, Santos said that apart from Wawao Builders, she also met with Darcy and Anna Builders & Trading.
“Bakit ho nagkaroon ng ghost projects sa inyong pagkakaalam? Alam niyo ba na ‘yung inyong lisensya ay gagamitin para sa proyektong hindi naman talaga gagawin?” Ejercito questioned.
“Actually Your Honor, hindi ko po alam na gagawin po nina Engineer Brice [Hernandez] at Jaypee Mendoza po iyon. Kasi po siyempre, sila po ay tauhan ng DPWH. Naniniwala po ako na hindi po nila gagawin ‘yon,” Santos said in response.
“‘Yun po kasing lisensya ko po, sapilitan lang po nilang hiniram po sa akin. Katulad po doon sa Piel [Bulacan project]..tinawag na lang po nila na ‘yung Piel po ay ibi-bid. Tapos pinasa ko lang po ‘yung mga technical ko po,” she added.
Santos explained that Hernandez and Mendoza were the ones who took over with the financials.
