Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida reported that around ₱611 million has been recovered so far through the restitution process involving state witnesses in the controversial flood control projects.
“As for now, ang data namin, ‘yung pagbawi natin sa pera natin no, ‘yung recovery of the people’s money, nasa 611 milyon [pesos] na po ang nababawi ng Department of Justice [in] total. So, we continue to try,” Vida said in an interview.
Former Public Works officials Roberto Bernardo, Henry Alcantara, and Gerard Opulencia, along with contractor Sally Santos, returned portions of the funds in batches. The DOJ previously stated that a total of ₱1.5 billion is expected to be recovered.
Vida said the department continues to review documents submitted by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to ensure alignment with ongoing investigations.
“Lahat nung natapos na namin na preliminary investigations, we’ve already transmitted it and transferred it to the Office of the Ombudsman for final approval. Kasi pag in-approve ‘yun ng Ombudsman, ipa-file na as information,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Vida said the DOJ may soon forward to the Office of the Ombudsman its resolution on plunder and graft complaints against Jinggoy Estrada and former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
On March 12, the DOJ confirmed that the National Bureau of Investigation had filed complaints linking Estrada and Bonoan to alleged irregular flood control projects in Bulacan, which are now under resolution.
“The final approval will be with the Office of the Ombudsman,” Vida said.