The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has formally requested the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against 26 individuals, composed of government officials and contractors, allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects.

During the turnover ceremony at the Department of Transportation on Wednesday, September 3, newly-installed DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon stressed the urgency of the request, citing ongoing investigations into “ghost projects” and substandard flood control works.

“I’ve just signed a request to Justice Secretary [Jesus Crispin Remulla], copy furnished to Bureau of Immigration, for a lookout order for these individuals listed,” he said.

Among those included in the request are contractors Cezarah and Pacifico Discaya of Alpha & Omega General Contractor and Development Corp., and Lawrence Lubiano of Centerways Construction and Development Inc. The list also names Sarah Discaya and Mark Allan Arevalo.

“An investigation is being conducted on several DPWH officials and key officers of construction companies allegedly involved in ghost projects and/or substandard construction of flood control projects,” Dizon wrote in a letter.

“The timely issuance of an ILBO is of utmost necessity to enable the current investigations to proceed without delay and to hold those liable accountable to the Filipino people.”

In a separate ambush interview, the Bureau of Immigration (BI), for its part, said it is ready to enforce the DOJ’s directive.

Meanwhile, according to RH Jecelle Ricafort's report, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval explained that the agency can place the names under the ILBO “within minutes” of receiving the official order.

However, Sandoval clarified that individuals under an ILBO are still allowed to leave the country unless there is a hold departure order (HDO) or warrant of arrest against them.

“Hindi siya holding departure order, hindi siya warrant of arrest. So ang ginagawa po natin is to monitor yung travel.

“So na-encounter po, ang instructions sa immigration officer is to check doon sa mga agencies na nakalista doon, mga relevant government agencies, para i-check kung may freshly issued na warrant of arrest or holding departure order," Sandoval said.

The request follows the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearing on September 1, where several of the named contractors, including Discaya, Arevalo, and Lubiano, appeared as part of the ongoing probe into the flood control scandal.