The Court of Appeals has frozen 135 banks accounts and 27 insurance policies linked to individuals and entities under investigation for the anomalous flood control projects, following a petition filed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
DPWH Secretary Vivencio Dizon earlier asked the Anti-Money Laundering Council’s (AMLC) help to freeze the assets of 26 individuals allegedly involved in a multi-billion-peso flood control corruption scandal.
In a letter dated Sept. 12, 2025 to AMLC executive director Matthew David, Dizon requested the AMLC to file an ex-parte petition with the Court of Appeals for a freeze order on the bank accounts and assets of DPWH officials and private contractors.
This action, he said, is a direct response to a presidential directive to hold those responsible for “ghost” and substandard projects accountable.
“The Department of Public Works and Highways respectfully requests assistance in establishing probable cause that certain monetary instruments or properties are related to unlawful activities,” Dizon’s letter said.
The letter identified 26 individuals including Henry Alcantara, assistant regional director of DPWH; Brice Hernandez, former district engineer; Jaypee Mendoza, assistant district engineer; Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando, Cezarah Rowena Discaya and Pacifico Discaya II of St. Timothy Construction Corporation; Mark Allan Arevalo of Wawao Builders; Sally Santos of SYMS Construction Trading; and Robert Imperio of JM Construction Corporation.
Citing Section 10 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (RA 9160), Dizon said the freeze order is an “extraordinary and interim legal remedy” to prevent the “dissipation, removal or disposal of properties strongly suspected to be the proceeds of, or related to, unlawful activities.”
He said the temporary preservation of these assets is crucial for the government to build its case, potentially file civil forfeiture proceedings, and prosecute the individuals involved.
“This preemptive action is crucial to prevent the disposal of assets and to ensure that government efforts to combat corruption and money laundering are not thwarted,” Dizon said.
“We greatly appreciate the AMLC’s prompt attention and assistance in this critical matter, which is vital for upholding public trust and ensuring accountability,” he said.
The complete list of individuals in the letter are:
1. Henry C. Alcantara, former OIC – Assistant Regional Director;
2. Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, former OIC – District Engineer;
3. Jaypee D. Mendoza, former OIC – Assistant District Engineer;
4. John Michael E. Ramos, Chief, Construction Section
5. Ernesto C. Galang, Planning and Design Section;
6. Lorenzo A. Pagtalunan, OIC-Chief, Maintenance Section;
7. Norberto L. Santos, Quality Assurance and Hydrology Section;
8. Jaime R. Hernandez, Maintenance Section;
9. Floralyn Y. Simbulan, Administrative Section;
10. Juanito C. Mendoza, Finance Section;
11. Roberto A. Roque, Budget Unit;
12. Benedict J. Matawaran, Procurement Unit;
13. Christina Mae D. Pineda, Cashier II;
14. Paul Jayson F. Duya, Project Engineer;
15. Merg Jaron C. Laus, Project Engineer;
16. Lemuel Ephraim C. Roque, Project Engineer;
17. Arjay S. Domasig, Project Engineer;
18. John Carlo C. Rivera, Project Engineer;
19. John Benex S. Francisco, Project Engineer;
20. Jolo Mari V. Tayao, Project Engineer II;
21. Ma. Roma Angeline D. Rimando, St. Timothy Construction Corporation;
22. Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya, St. Timothy Construction Corporation;
23. Pacifico Discaya II, St. Timothy Construction Corporation;
24. Mark Allan V. Arevalo, General Manager, Wawao Builders;
25. Sally N. Santos, Owner/Manager, SYMS Construction Trading
26. Robert T. Imperio, Owner/Manager, IM Construction Corporation
