Manila: The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Thursday met with government agencies to outline the government asset recovery efforts from personalities implicated in anomalous flood control projects. The agencies in attendance include the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Justice (DOJ), Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Insurance Commission (IC), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Commission on Audit (COA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Registration Authority (LRA), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).
According to Philippines News Agency, ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka stated in a press briefing after a closed-door meeting that the approach is a "whole-of-government" effort aimed at recovering assets controlled by those responsible for the fraudulent flood control projects. Representatives from various government agencies have agreed to form a technical working group dedicated to regularly meeting, updating each other, and sharing information that could expedite asset restitution.
Hosaka revealed that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has frozen PHP5 billion across approximately 2,800 accounts. "Yung gusto natin bawiin (What we want to recover) is a moving target, (but) rough estimate right now, according to AMLC, frozen accounts, PHP5 billion in 2,800 accounts," he stated. Hosaka noted that the recovery target might increase, emphasizing that after freezing the accounts, the government would need to justify their forfeiture.
Additionally, the ICI spokesperson mentioned that some agencies could act independently without court intervention, citing the Bureau of Customs' initiative to auction off surrendered luxury vehicles as an example. He explained that the agencies have asset recovery authorities embedded in their charters.
Hosaka also mentioned the possibility of investigating alleged connections between the Discaya couple and CLTG Corp., a company owned by the family of Senator Bong Go. "We'll look into that. If there is a need to invite Senator Bong, then we will invite him," he said.
