₱36-B flood control funds realigned to social welfare; DOJ names 21 for criminal prosecution

President Marcos announced that P36 billion previously earmarked for flood control projects will be redirected to social welfare initiatives under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) amid the ongoing corruption controversy.

- By ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS, JEFFREY DAMICOG, MARTIN SADONGDONG, HANNAH TORREGOZA, and ELLSON QUISMORIO

The Department of Justice (DOJ) also identified 21 persons, three of them incumbent senators, who have been recommended by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for criminal prosecution in the "anomalous" flood control projects.

Those recommended for prosecution are:

1. Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy "Zaldy" S. Co

2. Senator Francis Joseph "Chiz" Escudero

3. Senator Emmanuel Joel Jose Villanueva

4. Senator Jose "Jingoy Estrada" Pimentel Ejercito Jr.

5. Alias "Beng Ramos"

6. Alias "Mina"

7. Former Caloocan 2nd District representative Mary Mitzi "Mitch" Lim Cajayon-Uy

8. Mr. Maynard S. Ngu

9. Former senator Ramon Bautista "Bong" Revilla Jr.

10. Ms. Carleen Y. Villa

11. Former DPWH undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo

12. Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Henry C. Alcantara

13. Mr. John Carlo Rivera

14. Ms. Linda "Victoria" Macanas

15. Mr. Juanito Mendoza, CPA

16. Ms. Sally Nicolas Santos

17. Mr. Jesse Mahusay

18. Alias "Andrei Balatbat"

19. Former DPWH assistant district engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez

20. Former DPWH assistant district engineer Jaypee D. Mendoza

21. DPWH Project Engineer Arjay D. Domasig

Blue notice

Malacañang bared that the DOJ will request the Interpol to issue a "blue notice" for Co to locate his whereabouts.

"Latest from DOJ-they will request for blue notice," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro disclosed on Friday, Sept. 26.

Blue notice is issued in order to collect additional information about a person's identity, location or activities in relation to a criminal investigation.