The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the prosecution of 21 individuals over alleged anomalies in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects.
The NBI’s recommendation was anchored on sworn testimonies of former DPWH officials, Engineer Henry Alcantara, Assistant Engineer Brice Hernandez, Engineer Jaypee Mendoza, and former Usec. Roberto Bernardo.
Their statements, executed under oath, identified those allegedly involved in questionable transactions linked to infrastructure projects.
The 21 individuals include lawmakers, former and current government officials, and private individuals.
Among those named for "case build-up" before the National Prosecution Service (NPS) are:
- Congressman Elizaldy "Zaldy" S. Co
- Senator Francis Joseph "Chiz" Escudero
- Senator Emmanuel Joel Jose Villanueva
- Senator Jose "Jinggoy Estrada" Pimentel Ejercito Jr.
- Alias "Beng Ramos"
- Alias "Mina"
- Undersecretary Mary Mitzi "Mitch" Lim Cajayon-Uy
- Mr. Maynard S. Ngu
- Former Senator Ramon Bautista "Bong" Revilla Jr.
- Ms. Carleen Y. Villa
- Undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo
- Engineer Henry C. Alcantara
- Mr. John Carlo Rivera
- Ms. Linda "Victoria" Macanas
- Mr. Juanito Mendoza, CPA
- Ms. Sally Nicolas Santos
- Mr. Jesse Mahusay
- Alias "Andrei Balatbat"
- Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez
- Engineer Jaypee D. Mendoza
- Engineer Arjay D. Domasig
The possible charges include violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, indirect bribery, and malversation of public funds.
The DOJ emphasized that the inclusion of names in the NBI’s recommendation was based solely on sworn affidavits and not on hearsay or speculation.
“Let it be clear: inclusion in the NBI's recommendation is not a matter of speculation or rumor. It is the result of sworn testimony under oath. If names have circulated outside of these affidavits, those are not recognized by the DOJ or the NBI until such time that they are sworn to under proper proceedings,” the DOJ said in a statement.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla reiterated the department’s commitment to pursue accountability regardless of political stature.
“The DOJ will now subject this recommendation to rigorous case build-up under the National Prosecution Service. No one is above the law, and no position, title, or influence will shield anyone from accountability," he said.
"Those named will be required to answer, under the rule of law, the serious allegations now standing against them,” SOJ added.
The DOJ also signaled its readiness to turn over files and supporting documents to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) for a broader, non-political evaluation of the evidence.
“We trust that an independent body is in the best position to conduct a holistic evaluation of all the evidence, free from the distortions of politics or speculation,” the DOJ added.
The case build-up process is expected to determine whether sufficient grounds exist to formally charge the 21 respondents in court.
The ongoing probe follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s disclosure of ‘disturbing’ data on the top 15 contractors that received ₱100 billion worth of flood control projects. This prompted him to create an independent body to investigate alleged anomalies, including 'ghost' projects and substandard infrastructure.
