NBI recommends filing of charges vs. Alcantara, Estrada, Villanueva, Co over flood control mess

The NBI has recommended the filing of complaints against lawmakers with alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects.

At the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 23, Justice Secretary Boying Remulla said the NBI recommended the filing of indirect bribery and malversation cases against former DPWH engineer Henry Alcantara, former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Joel Villanueva, Rep. Zaldy Co, and former Rep. Mitch Cajayon.

"We determined that the NBI would be investigating it, and on the outset, they recommended the filing of charges already," Remulla said. "So we treated this as a complaint with the NBI as endorsing agency."

The aforementioned politicians were linked to kickback schemes in several flood control initiatives.

Per the DOJ chief, the AMLC has also issued freeze orders on their bank accounts.

Corruption allegations

On Sept. 9, former DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez accused Alcantara of being the "chief implementor" who gets in touch with corrupt officials and receives a portion of the costs of the projects in return.

Hernandez also alleged that Estrada and Villanueva were involved in the flood control scandal. “Si Senator Jinggoy po ay nagbaba ng P355 million ngayong 2025 sa mga ilang projects sa Bulacan. Ang sabi po ng boss ko dito ay 30% ang commitment dito.” 

On Sept. 23, Alcantara finally spoke out on the issue after several instances of denying knowledge about such irregularities in his bailiwick Bulacan.

He claimed that Bernardo, as his "boss," released hundreds of millions of pesos in funds for projects, of which 25% go to the likes of Estrada and Villanueva.

As for Co, who is reportedly in the United States for medical treatment, Alcantara said they have direct transactions. He claimed there were instances that he brought the money to the lawmaker's residence in Pasig or asked someone else to do it. Money was also supposedly dropped off in other places, with Co's men allegedly taking it.

Alcantara noted that their communications were done through Viber's disappearing messages feature.

Tagged politicians deny claims

In his manifestation in the Senate's afternoon session, Villanueva dismissed Alcantara's claims as false and expressed willingness to undergo an investigation. 

"Mr. President (Sotto), let me state this clearly: At the very start, I am prepared to be fully investigated in these allegations. I have nothing to hide, and I welcome any inquiry that will help bring out the truth," he said.

"If we review what transpired this morning, it was clear, very clear, from Mr. Alcantara's own statement, 'Hindi po ako nagrequest ng kahit anong flood control project.' Sinabi rin po niya, 'Wala po akong alam at hindi rin po ako kailanman sinabihan tungkol sa mga proyektong 'yan. Ang request po ng representasyong ito ay multi-purpose building para sa aking mga kababayan sa Bulacan, at hindi flood control.' Sinabi niya po 'yan," Villanueva continued. "Sinabi niya rin po at inamin... na may tulong daw siyang pinaabot pero hindi sa akin... at siya na rin mismo ang nagsabi na wala akong alam doon."

Villanueva noted that his name was merely mentioned and doesn't prove any wrongdoing.

"Pero 'yan, Mr. President, basta na lang binanggit ang pangalan natin, mentioned my name," he said. "Operative word: mentioned. Mr. President, ano po ba ito? Masabi lang po ang pangalan natin at idadawit tayo sa flood control issue kahit na ang mismong testigo na ang nagsabi na wala po akong alam. Mema lang?"

"I am ready, and my office is ready to be investigated that the truth may come out, katulad ng pagdalo ko kanina sa ICI. Nakahanda rin po akong bigyang-linaw ang mga bagay na ito sa anumang forum o lugar, at patunayan na mali, malisyoso at pawang kasinungalingan lang ang ipinupukol sa ating pangalan," he added.

During the plenary session, Estrada—who previously denied Hernandez's claims—also addressed Sen. Kiko Pangilinan's remarks during the Sept. 23 hearing, when the latter said, "Siguro kung 'yung Napoles cases, nauwi sa halip na absuwelto ay kulong, baka hindi na nangyari itong mas malaking kurakot."

While Pangilinan didn't name anyone, Estrada, who was among those who were dragged into the Janet Lim Napoles pork barrel fund scam, felt alluded to.

"I cannot, in good conscience, let the remarks made earlier by our colleague, Sen. Francis Pangilinan... pass without rebuttal," Estrada said. "His comments, while not naming us directly, were laced with insinuations, clearly aimed at me and Sen. Bong Revilla and the legal ordeals I have already faced."

He noted that such statements "are not only unfair" but also "malicious and utterly uncalled for."

"The courts have spoken with finality. To cast doubt on these decisions is not only an insult to me personally but a dangerous approach to the judiciary," he said.

In response, Pangilinan explained that he had no intention of maligning any individual.

"Wala po tayong pinangalanan. Humihingi tayo ng pag-unawa kay Sen. Jinggoy Estrada," he said. "Tinalakay at pinag-usapan (sa ibang hearing) ang problema ng conviction rates, lalo na sa Sandiganbayan."

"Sa bawat dalawang kaso, isa ang absuwelto. That was the context," he added.

But Estrada wouldn't budge and fought back.

"Napakaobvious naman ng kaniyang sinabi," he said. "Sino ba pinatatamaan mo, di ba? It's very obvious that I was being alluded to."

He reiterated to Pangilinan that he had been acquitted.

"Are you questioning the decision of the court, acquitting this representation?" he said. "You're a lawyer, I am not. You shouldn't be talking that way. You're undermining the judicial process of our country. You, being a member of the Bar."

Pangilinan didn't respond, and Lacson suspended the session.

Bernardo, Cajayon, and Co have yet to comment on the accusations.

Flood control mess

Hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate revealed billions of pesos lost to corruption, which prompted the formation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure that will specifically investigate irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years.

On Sept. 11, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon filed criminal complaints against officials of the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and four private contractors linked to such anomalies.

The government has also frozen the bank accounts of the contractors and DPWH officials with alleged involvement in the issue.

On Sept. 21, thousands of Filipinos took to the streets to protest corruption in flood control initiatives. In Metro Manila, the “Baha sa Luneta” rally, which was organized by activist groups and university students, saw thousands of people on the streets by Sunday morning. The “Trillion Peso March” that afternoon, referring to the trillions allegedly lost to systemic corruption, at the People Power Monument on EDSA saw the closure of all northbound lanes due to the swelling of the crowd.