The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has recommended the filing of plunder, bribery, and corruption complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against several public officials and lawmakers, including Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joel Villanueva, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, for their alleged involvement in irregular flood-control projects where they purportedly received kickbacks.
Also named in the ICI’s findings were former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, former Caloocan 2nd District Representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy, and Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana.
In its interim report released Wednesday, October 29, ICI Chairperson and retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr. said the officials were allegedly linked to multiple offenses under the Revised Penal Code and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
“These persons has possibly committed direct or indirect bribery and corruption of public officials under Articles 210, 211, and 212 of the Revised Penal Code, corruption of officers under section 3B and 3E of Republic Act 3019, plunder as defined and penalized under section 2 of Republic Act 7080,” Reyes stated.
He noted that the commission’s findings were based on testimonies and revelations from several witnesses. According to the report, an unnamed member of the Senate or House of Representatives allegedly told former DPWH District Engineer Henry Alcantara that a specific “allocated budget” had been set aside for certain infrastructure projects.
Following this, Alcantara reportedly instructed former DPWH assistant engineer Brice Hernandez to prepare a list of “project-based” initiatives from the said proponent’s proposals. Hernandez would then forward the list to Juan Carlo Rivera, who would bring it to the regional office in Bulacan or to the proponent directly.
“Once the projects were reflected in the NEP or GAA, Rivera would make a summary of the projects, while Engineer Alcantara would then choose the contractors, who would then implement the project. This would trigger the payment or obligations or SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) to the proponent,” Reyes detailed.
He added that there were alleged advance payments amounting to 10% of the total budget allocation once the National Expenditure Program (NEP) was released, and an additional 15% upon the passage of the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
“If the insertion were included in the GAA, the whole 25% SOP is given to the proponent. The 25% payoff is allegedly advanced by the contractors to ensure that the project will be awarded to them,” he continued.
Reyes emphasized that the ICI’s anti-corruption efforts will spare no one, regardless of political rank or influence.
“No one will be spared in this fight against corruption. Politicians and government officials will be investigated and charged by credible evidence. Those found responsible will face the consequences and be held accountable under the rule of law,” he declared.
He further warned that the commission will persist in tracking down those who have escaped accountability in previous corruption cases.
“To aspiring criminals that crime will not and does not pay. We will continue to investigate, follow the evidence, pursue charges to the very last man involved. Justice will not be delayed this time. This is our promise to our countrymen,” Reyes concluded.