A new class-action lawsuit is being prepared against four Quezon City lawmakers over alleged corruption in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects, seeking an estimated P1 billion to P5 billion in damages and compensation.

The suit is a collaboration between the Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection (LCSP) and the United People Against Corruption (UPAC). The groups alleged that the officials pocketed public funds through anomalous contracts.

The initial target of the indemnity class action includes First District Representative Arjo Atayde, Fifth District (Novaliches) Representative Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas, Sixth District (Tandang Sora) Representative Marivic Co-Pilar, and former Fourth District Representative Marvin Rillo.

LCSP founder and head Atty. Ariel Inton said members of UPAC will act as “pauper litigants,” representing various grassroots sectors directly impacted by flooding.

“These are the workers who struggle when there’s flooding, the jeepney, taxi, or bus drivers who can’t travel when there’s flooding, the students, the mothers and fathers who are helpless when there’s flooding,” Inton told DAILY TRIBUNE about the litigants.

“This is not just about stolen funds — it’s about stolen safety, homes, and livelihoods,” said Dr. Malou Turalde, UPAC spokesperson. “Those responsible must be held accountable, jailed, and compelled to compensate the victims.”

Both LCSP and UPAC declared that they plan to indict a broad list of current and former high-ranking government officials who allegedly benefited from widespread corruption in flood control projects.

The list includes former Senate President Francis Joseph Escudero; incumbent and former senators Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva, Mark Villar, Alan Peter Cayetano, Rodante D. Marcoleta, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay.

It also included former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Representative Jose “Zaldy” Co, among others.

The groups also plan to file charges against district engineers, contractors and local officials. Inton said they are currently collecting evidence against these individuals, including other Quezon City lawmakers Ralph Tulfo (2nd District) and Franz Pumaren (3rd District).

He explained the decision to file the class suit came from the “hesitant, uncertain, and compromised investigations” previously conducted by the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Malacañang-created Independent Commission for Infrastructure.

“This Indemnity Class Suit serves as a warning that all those involved in plunder will be held liable. No one is safe, no one can escape,” Turalde said.

If the case is won, the recovered amount will be divided among the sectors included in the class suit.