Manila: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the prosecution of 21 individuals, including three incumbent senators, over alleged anomalies in government flood control projects. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Senators Francis Escudero, Joel Villanueva, and Jinggoy Estrada are among those facing charges. All three senators have denied the allegations.
According to Philippines News Agency, the list of individuals recommended for prosecution also includes former senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., Ako Bicol party-list Representative Elizaldy "Zaldy" Co, and former Caloocan Representative Mary Mitzi "Mitch" Lim Cajayon-Uy. Several former officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are also named, including former undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, former assistant regional director Henry Alcantara, former district engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez, former assistant district engineer Jaypee Mendoza, project engineers John Carlo Rivera and Arjay Domasig, and accountant Juanto Mendoza. Others include DPWH driver Andrei Balatbat, an alias "Beng Ramos", an alias "Mina", businessman Maynard Ngu, Carleen Villa, Linda "Victoria" Macanas, SYMS Construction's Sally Nicolas Santos, and Jelsie Construction and Supply Inc.'s Jesse Mahusay.
The DOJ stated that the recommendation is based on sworn testimonies from Engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, and former Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. Their statements reportedly identified these individuals as having preliminary links to the acts under investigation. DOJ spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano clarified that the recommended charges include violations of Republic Act (RA) 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), indirect bribery, and malversation.
Clavano emphasized that inclusion in the NBI's recommendation is based on sworn testimony, not speculation or rumor. He noted that any names not included in the affidavits are not recognized by the DOJ or the NBI until sworn to under proper proceedings. The DOJ will now conduct a "rigorous case build-up" under the National Prosecution Service, and those on the list will be required to respond to the allegations.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has requested assistance from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in locating Representative Co, who is reportedly out of the country and was last seen in Spain. Clavano mentioned that instructions have been given to apply for a Blue Notice from Interpol through local offices, based on the investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and the NBI's recommendation.
Additionally, a witness in the Senate investigation, Marine Orly Guteza, who was Co's security consultant, failed to attend a scheduled evaluation meeting with the DOJ. Lawmakers are calling for a deeper background check on Guteza following irregularities in the notary of his statement and links to personalities from the previous administration.
