The Department of Justice (DOJ) may issue subpoenas this week in connection with separate plunder complaints filed against Senator Jinggoy Estrada and former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said Thursday.
“Hopefully, subpoenas may be issued within the week,” Fadullon told reporters during the Pandesal Forum.
He added that preliminary hearings could be scheduled by the end of the month.
The DOJ is also conducting preliminary investigations on six malversation complaints involving allegedly anomalous flood control projects linked to Wawao Builders and Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joel Villanueva is named as a respondent in three of these cases. The DOJ has given Villanueva until January 26 to submit his counter-affidavit.
Fadullon noted that formal charges could be filed in Philippine courts or the Sandiganbayan by mid-February.
When asked about earlier claims that those responsible for irregular flood control projects would face jail by December 2025, Fadullon appealed for patience.
“Madali po magsampa ng kaso. Ang mahirap po patunayan ‘yung kaso, so kinakailangan na ang kasong isasampa mo ay may matibay na ebidensya para matiyak mo naman na ‘yung resultang gusto mong makuha, makukuha mo,” he said.
The statements come days after the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued a warrant of arrest and a hold departure order against Revilla and six others over an alleged ₱92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
Revilla surrendered Monday night to the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at Camp Crame and was transferred to jail on Tuesday. He has denied any involvement in non-existent flood control projects in Bulacan.
Estrada, on the other hand, has “categorically and vehemently” denied allegations by former Public Works Bulacan 1st District Assistant Engineer Brice Hernandez that he received kickbacks from flood control projects.