The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) announced on Thursday that it will file cases next week against three current or former senators allegedly linked to the multi-billion-peso flood control fund controversy, as reported by RH Jecelle Ricafort.

ICI Chairman Andy Reyes made the confirmation during a press briefing held at the commission’s headquarters in Taguig City, saying the upcoming charges are part of their continuing probe into anomalous public works projects.

“We will be filing against at least three sitting or former senators. Let’s wait,” Reyes told reporters.

The new set of complaints will follow earlier cases already filed by the commission against Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, both of whom were previously accused of involvement in questionable flood control allocations.

Third case referral vs. ex-DPWH chief Bonoan

In the same briefing, Reyes confirmed that the ICI has filed its third administrative complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and former Undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and Maria Catalina Cabral.

The complaint concerns a ₱74-million “ghost” flood control project in Bulacan, allegedly awarded to Darcy & Anna Builders & Trading. The project was reportedly paid in full despite no structure being built at the specified location.

According to ICI’s fifth interim report, endorsed by the Commission on Audit (COA), the agency’s technical inspection “clearly established that the project was never implemented” even after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) released the entire contract payment to the contractor.

“It appears that several DPWH public officials were grossly negligent, if not remiss, in ensuring that the project was properly implemented and that government funds were lawfully disbursed,” Reyes said, quoting the report.

Criminal charges recommended

Aside from Bonoan and his former deputies, the ICI also recommended criminal charges against several former officials of the Bulacan First District Engineering Office, identified as:

• Engr. Henry Alcantara

• Engr. Brice Hernandez

• Engr. Ernesto Galang

• Engr. Jolo Mari Tayao

• Engr. John Michael Ramos

• Engr. Lemuel Ephraim Roque

• Contractor Darcy Kimel Respecio

The ICI previously said they are preparing to livestream its investigative proceedings on the anomalous flood control projects, which are targeted to deliver real-time and transparent reports to the public.