The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Wednesday recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman the filing of criminal charges against former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and 10 other individuals in relation to the multibillion-peso flood control project scandal.
“Today, the commission recommends filing cases against the following individuals: former Senator Bong Revilla Jr., Maynard Ngu, Carleen Villa, Gerard Opulencia, Manny Bulusan, Ruel Umali, Gene Ryan Altea, Carleen Yap-Villa, J. Y. Dela Rosa, Mrs. Patron, and Carlo Aguilar,” ICI Chairman Andres Reyes Jr. said.
“Possible cases include direct or indirect bribery and corruption of public officials, plunder, and administrative sanctions, among others,” he added.
Reyes said they will be submitting new evidence, in addition to their previous referrals, which may possibly lead to more charges against former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan, former undersecretaries Catalina Cabral and Roberto Bernardo, former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, Mario Lipana, and engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, and Jaypee Mendoza.
The ICI chief also said that because of the gravity of the allegations, they also asked the Ombudsman to conduct further investigative review and case build-up against Sens. Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Mark Villar, as well as former senators Nancy Binay and Grace Poe.
The commission earlier deferred its submission of charges to the Ombudsman concerning at least three current and former senators, saying it will reevaluate the inconsistent testimonies of former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who alleged that the lawmakers were involved in the anomaly.
