Manila: Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, and several former officials have been recommended for prosecution in connection with an alleged flood control racket, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla informed the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Tuesday. Remulla revealed that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), after assessing the affidavit of dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara, found sufficient grounds to file charges.
According to Philippines News Agency, Remulla mentioned that meetings were held with the NBI, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and the National Prosecution Service (NPS) regarding Alcantara’s affidavit. The NBI recommended filing charges based on the initial findings. Included in the NBI’s recommendation for prosecution are Alcantara, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, and former Caloocan City Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy.
The AMLC has issued freeze orders on the bank accounts of those implicated. Remulla stated that digital files were provided to the AMLC, and actions have already been taken since the complaint was filed with the Department of Justice. The charges could include violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, indirect bribery, and malversation of public funds.
Remulla also noted that the Department of Justice is evaluating the potential liability of Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana and his spouse, who was identified as a contractor in Alcantara’s testimony. Earlier, Remulla escorted Alcantara from the Senate Session Hall to the DOJ office to process his sworn affidavit and evaluate his request for inclusion in the Witness Protection Program as part of the investigation into the alleged flood control project anomalies.
In his statement, Alcantara, who had previously denied involvement, named Villanueva, Estrada, Co, former senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr., Bernardo, and Cajayon-Uy. Remulla expressed that the affidavit would assist the DOJ and the Witness Protection Program in filing a case quickly, as demanded by the public.
In response, both Villanueva and Estrada denied involvement in the alleged anomalies. Villanueva asserted that Alcantara admitted the senator was neither requested nor involved in such projects. He stated that his requests were for multipurpose buildings in Bulacan, not flood control works. Estrada emphasized that previous pork barrel cases against him had been resolved by the courts and cautioned against undermining judicial rulings, labeling such doubts as an affront to the judiciary.