ICI requests immigration lookout bulletin order against Romualdez, Escudero, and others linked to flood control scandal
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure is seeking an immigration lookout bulletin order against ex-speaker Martin Romualdez, ex-Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Joel Villanueva, and other individuals implicated in anomalous flood control deals.
On Oct. 8, the ICI requested the Justice Department to issue lookout bulletins for a total of 32 individuals tagged in ghost flood control projects.
Here are the other individuals on the list:
- Former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr.
- Mayor Maria Lourdes Binay Angeles
- Commissioner Mario G. Lipana
- Marilou Laurio-Lipana
- Undersecretary Trygve L. Olaivar
- Carlene Villa
- Maynard Ngu
- Cong. Roman Romulo
- Cong. James "Jojo" Ang
- Cong. Patrick Michael "PM" Vargas
- Cong. Juan Carlos "Arjo" Atayde
- Cong. Nicanor "Nikki" Briones
- Cong. Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro
- Cong. Florida "Rida" Robes
- Cong. Eleandro Jesus Madrona
- Cong. Benjamin "Benjie" Agarao
- Former Cong. Florencio Gabriel "Bem" Noel
- Cong. Leody "Ode" Tarriela
- Cong. Reynante "Reynan" Arogancia
- Former Cong. Marvin Rillo
- Cong. Teodorico "Teodoro" Haresco, Jr.
- Cong. Antonieta Eudela
- Cong. Dean Assistio
- Cong. Marivic Co-Pilar
- District Engr. Loida Busa
- "Bogs" Magalong
- District Engr. Ramon Devanadera
- District Engr. Johnny Protesta, Jr.
- District Engr. Arturo Gonzales Jr.
"The timely issuance of the ILBO is of utmost necessity to enable the Commission to proceed without delay and to hold those liable accountable to the Filipino people," the request read.
"In addition to the issuance of the ILBO, may we further request that the Bureau of Immigration be instructed to immediately inform the Commission and other law enforcement agencies of any information regarding the impending travel of the subjects," it added.
The DOJ released an updated request for the issuance of the ILBO, including Sen. Villanueva in the list.
Flood control mess
The controversy involving the government's flood control projects began in July as the rains triggered massive flooding in the metro.
Hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate revealed billions of pesos lost to corruption, which prompted the formation of the ICI that's specifically investigating irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years.
In Blue Ribbon Committee hearings, Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, ex-Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, and former senator Bong Revilla were tagged by dismissed DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara as being proponents of flood control initiatives.
Former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo also named Co, Revilla, former senator Nancy Binay, and Escudero as among those who allegedly received kickbacks from flood control projects.
Romualdez, meanwhile, was linked to flood control project kickbacks by Co's former security consultant Orly Guteza.
Villanueva, Estrada, Escudero, Romualdez, Co, and Binay have denied the allegations.
Romualdez and Co were invited to attend the Blue Ribbon Committee hearings through an inquiry sent to House Speaker Bojie Dy III. However, the panel's hearing on Oct. 8 was suspended.
Sen. Ping Lacson resigned as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Oct. 6. "In the course of the current investigation, which has implicated some senators in the flood control mess, a number of our colleagues have expressed disappointment with the 'direction' of the Blue Ribbon Committee, which this representation chairs," the Senate President Pro Tempore wrote in his resignation letter submitted to Senate President Tito Sotto.
