The Department of Justice (DOJ) recommended the filing of criminal charges against Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, and other individuals over alleged involvement in a multi-billion-peso infrastructure corruption scheme linked to flood control and national infrastructure projects.

In its resolution transmitted to the Office of the Ombudsman, the DOJ panel said there was probable cause to indict respondents for plunder, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, direct bribery, and corruption of public officials.

“The panel concluded that there is an interconnected network of public officers who abused their official designations to manipulate project specifications, clear budgets, and rig public bidding workflows,” Assistant Ombudsman Atty. Mico Clavano said, citing the DOJ findings.

Among the DPWH officials named in the resolution are former Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, former Undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo, DPWH National Capital Region Regional Director Gerard Opulencia, Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara, North Manila Assistant District Engineer Denril Cesar S. Fortuna, South Manila District Engineer Manny B. Bulosan, and DPWH official Arturo L. Gonzalez Jr., along with several unidentified respondents.

The DOJ said the case was built on evidence from legislative records, sworn affidavits, and Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings, which allegedly pointed to irregularities in infrastructure project implementation and reported “30% cuts” in flood control allocations.

It also recommended the dismissal of charges against a former official who had passed away during the investigation, while noting that several unidentified “John and Jane Doe” remain subject to further identification.

The Office of the Ombudsman said it will conduct an independent review of the DOJ resolution and may either affirm, modify, or reverse the findings before deciding on the filing of formal charges in court.