Prosecutors start case buildup vs 21 in flood mess

Upon the recommendation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), prosecutors under the Department of Justice (DOJ) have started building cases against 21 people, including Senators Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva as well as Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co in connection with their alleged involvement in flood control anomalies.

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“Those named will be required to answer, under the rule of law, the serious allegations now standing against them,” the DOJ said in a press statement yesterday.

The DOJ said inclusions in the case buildup were based on the recommendation of the NBI after vetting the sworn testimonies of dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways-Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) district engineer Henry Alcantara, assistant district engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez, Construction Section chief Jaypee Mendoza and former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

"Their statements provided the basis for identifying these individuals as having sufficient preliminary links to the acts under investigation," the DOJ said.

"Let it be clear: inclusion in the NBI's recommendation is not a matter of speculation or rumor. It is the result of sworn testimony under oath," it added.