AMLC asked to freeze assets of officials, contractors in flood control scandal

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has requested the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze the billions of pesos worth of air and vehicle assets belonging to personalities, contractors and agency officials linked to anomalies in flood control projects.

- By Ashley Erika 0. Jose

“I think the freeze order will be issued (immediately). I think within a few days (after request) it will be issued. Hopefully, the freeze order will be issued right away,” Public Works and Highways Secretary Vivencio “Vince” B. Dizon said in a press briefing on Wednesday.

This move follows the DPWH’s announcement last week that it is coordinating with other agencies to probe real estate properties and high-value vehicles of 26 contractors and DPWH personnel linked to irregularities in flood control projects.

“LTO (Land Transportation Office) and CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) have already responded to our request. We are still waiting for MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) and LRA’s (Land Registration Authority) responses for these individuals’ sea and land assets,” Mr. Dizon said.

According to the report of LTO, a total of P474.48 million worth of motor vehicles were found to be registered under the names of DPWH personnel and private contractors.

Based on the report provided by the agency, about P277.26 million of the total amount were vehicle assets of former Pasig mayoral candidate Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya, and her husband Pacifico F. Discaya.