How former, incumbent solons were implicated in flood control scandal

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has recommended the filing of corruption, bribery and plunder charges against four former and incumbent lawmakers as well as two other government officials over the anomalous flood control projects.

- JOSEPH PEDRAJAS

But how exactly are these people involved in the shocking, billion-peso corruption scandal?

In its 19-page interim report, ICI revealed the alleged hand of Senators Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada; resigned Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co; former Caloocan 2nd District representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy; Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana; and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo in the scandal.

ICI's report was based on testimonies and affidavits of various resource persons-notably former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and former DPWH Bulacan 1st district engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza-during the conduct of its investigation in the past 44 days.

Although the report did not fully establish the individuals' alleged links to the anomaly, it still provided some details on how they could be involved in alleged corruption.

Villanueva Regarding Villanueva, the ICI said, the senator allegedly asked Alcantara to build a multipurpose building, with a P1.5 billion budget but only at a cost of P600 million.

It wasn't clear in the ICI report if Villanueva's proposal was granted, but it stated that: "to appease the displeased Sen. Villanueva, [DPWH] Usec. [Roberto] Bernardo and Engr.