The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it may treat the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s official report on alleged anomalous flood control projects as possible leads in its ongoing investigation.
Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said the DOJ would first need to receive the official copy of the report before making any substantive assessment.
“At best, it may be considered as leads that the department can follow and look into,” Fadullon said, adding that it was premature to comment further without the document.
Earlier, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the draft report could recommend criminal and administrative charges against Senators Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, and Chiz Escudero; former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.; ex-Representative Zaldy Co; and former Caloocan lawmaker Mitch Cajayon-Uy.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, however, clarified that the report remains subject to plenary discussion.
Villanueva is currently facing a malversation complaint, while Estrada and Revilla are respondents in separate plunder cases before the DOJ.
Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said Villanueva’s cases are already under evaluation.
“Kumpleto na ‘yung documents… for them to make their finding whether or not prima facie evidence exists,” Martinez said, noting that Villanueva has submitted his counter-affidavits.
Villanueva is named as a respondent in three out of six complaints linked to Wawao Builders and Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
The DOJ said it will await the Senate’s final and official report before taking further action.