At the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Tuesday, September 23, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla confirmed that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the filing of criminal charges against Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joel Villanueva, and Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co in connection with anomalous flood control projects.
“We determined that the NBI would be investigating it and on the outset they recommended the filing of charges already,” Remulla told senators.
Aside from Estrada, Villanueva, and Co, others also recommended to be charged include:
- Former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara
- Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo
- Former Caloocan Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy
It will be recalled that Alcantara previously named Villanueva, Estrada, Co, Cajayon-Uy, and Bernardo as among those allegedly involved in the irregular flood control projects and accused them of pocketing kickbacks.
According to Remulla, the recommended charges against the individuals include violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, indirect bribery, and malversation of public funds.
Remulla also confirmed that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is preparing to freeze the assets and bank accounts of those implicated.
“They (AMLC) already started acting on this because it is already a filed complaint with the DOJ. Given that, I believe freeze orders have been issued already by the AMLC over the bank accounts of many people,” he said.
The DOJ is still awaiting official confirmation from the AMLC.