ICI recommends filing of cases vs. Villanueva, Estrada, Co over flood control mess
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure has recommended the filling of charges against government officials who were linked to anomalous flood control projects.
The ICI on Wednesday, Oct. 29 recommended the filing of criminal and administrative cases against the following:
- Sen. Joel Villanueva
- Sen. Jinggoy Estrada
- Former Rep. Zaldy Co
- Former Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy
- Former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo
- COA Commissioner Mario Lipana
According to ICI chairperson Andres Reyes Jr., they have "possibly" committed plunder, direct or indirect bribery, corruption of public officials under Articles 210, 211 and 212 of the Revised Penal Code and Sections 3b and 3e of RA 3019.
"Justice will not be delayed this time," Reyes is quoted as saying. "This is our promise to our countrymen."
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 outside the country 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.
Estrada, Villanueva, and Co have denied the claims against them.
Bernardo, meanwhile, admitted that he made a mistake in allowing the schemes to happen.
Cajayon and Lipana have yet to comment on the accusations.
Formation of ICI
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 is now investigating irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years.
The ICI is tasked to recommend the filing of appropriate charges and recommend to the appropriate government bodies the enforcement of remedies, corrective actions, or legislative measures in connection with irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years.
The fact-finding body is receiving assistance from the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation, the National Prosecution Service, the DPWH, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police, and offices in the national government's executive branch "to accomplish its mandates."
It also has the power to conduct hearings, take testimony, and receive, gather, review, and evaluate evidence, issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, recommend to the DOJ the admission of a person as a state witness, and obtain information and documents from the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The ICI recently announced it will livestream its hearings soon. No starting date for the livestream has been set, as of writing.
