The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday recommended criminal charges against several lawmakers and former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over their alleged roles in large-scale corruption involving anomalous flood control projects.
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told senators Tuesday that the charges include indirect bribery and malversation of public funds.
“We determined that the NBI would be investigating it and, at the outset, they recommended the filing of charges already,” Remulla said.
The DOJ chief pointed out that the NBI submitted findings identifying specific violations under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and provisions of the Revised Penal Code.
The lawmakers named are Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, along with Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co.
Also implicated are former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, ex-Caloocan Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy, and dismissed Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara.
Remulla also confirmed that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has already frozen the bank accounts of those linked to the scandal. He said the freeze orders were issued after the DOJ filed the NBI’s complaint with the AMLC.
“We contacted the ALMC… 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,” Remulla said.
Alcantara, who previously admitted to corruption in the DPWH, is considered the central figure in the case. The dismissed district engineer confessed to diverting billions of pesos from infrastructure projects to pay off politicians.
Alcantara claimed that Bernardo orchestrated the kickback scheme and coordinated payouts to legislators. He also testified that Co, Villanueva, Estrada, Uy, and former Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. benefited from the scheme.
The allegations first surfaced during Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings into irregularities in flood control spending. The panel has been investigating claims of budget insertions and ghost projects involving billions in public funds.
Remulla said the NBI’s investigation confirmed that sufficient evidence exists to pursue criminal complaints.
The Blue Ribbon Committee is expected to release its own findings after the NBI’s recommendations are reviewed.
