Flood control graft raps poised vs 3 lawmakers, DPWH official

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the filing of graft and corruption charges against Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada and several others implicated in the multibillion-peso flood control scam.

- NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced the development yesterday at the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing on anomalies in flood control projects.

Also recommended charged with Villanueva and Estrada are Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, resigned public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and former Caloocan City congresswoman Mitch Cajayon-Uy.

Remulla also revealed that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has ordered a freeze on the bank accounts of Villanueva, Estrada and Co.

In its recommendation, the NBI cited possible violations of Section 3 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, indirect bribery under Article 211 of the Revised Penal Code and malversation of public funds under Article 217.

"So far, these are the persons, but we're still looking at the case of Commissioner Lipana and his spouse who was a contractor since it was touched upon by engineer Alcantara," Remulla said, referring to Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana and former public works district engineer in Bulacan Henry Alcantara.

Alcantara, also at yesterday's hearing, said Lipana had requested a list of Bulacan flood control projects in 2022 and secured allocations of P500 million in 2023, P400 million in 2024 and P500 million in 2025.

Remulla told the Blue Ribbon committee that the Department of Justice had a meeting with the NBI, the AMLC and the National Prosecution Service to review Alcantara's affidavit.

The DOJ has jurisdiction over the NBI.

"On the outset they recommended the filing of charges already," he said, adding that the affidavit is now treated as a formal complaint endorsed by the NBI.

The justice secretary also disclosed that the AMLC based its freeze order on the digital files transmitted by the DOJ.

The freeze order also covers the assets of Bernardo, Alcantara and Uy, according to Remulla.

Bong Revilla also implicated