The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recommended the filing of charges against several lawmakers and former government officials in connection with alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
Among those implicated are the following:
- Sen. Joel Villanueva
- Sen. Jinggoy Estrada
- Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co
- Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo
- Former Caloocan Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy
- Dismissed Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara
During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Tuesday, September 23, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that each official may be charged with "violations of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Article 211 of the revised penal code or Direct Bribery, and Article 217 of the revised penal code or Malversation of Public Funds."
Remulla confirmed that the NBI submitted its findings, identifying specific offenses committed, with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) expected to take part in further investigations.
The SOJ also announced that freeze orders have been issued for the assets of the government officials implicated in the case.
"We contacted the ALMC and told them a digital file of this… and they already started acting on this because it is already a filed complaint with the DOJ. I believe the freeze orders have been issued already by the AMLC over the bank accounts of many people," the DOJ Secretary said.
This came after Alcantara revealed that budget insertions and kickbacks were allegedly given to several politicians in exchange for allocating funds from flood control projects.
In an emotional testimony, Alcantara admitted to working with Bernardo in manipulating flood control budgets, portions of which were allegedly diverted to lawmakers.
Alcantara named Co, Villanueva, Estrada, Uy, and former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. among those who purportedly received kickbacks.
Meanwhile, former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Assistant Engineer Brice Hernandez corroborated Alcantara’s sworn statement, confirming the existence of a kickback scheme in flood control allocations, though he noted that Alcantara’s statements did not fully capture the extent of the scheme.
