ICI seeks prosecution of lawmakers, DPWH execs

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has recommended the prosecution of several incumbent and former lawmakers, including Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, for allegedly receiving multimillion-peso kickbacks from contractors of government-funded flood control projects.

In its Amended Interim Report 2025-002 submitted to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, the ICI detailed the sworn testimonies of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers who described an entrenched system of “SOPs” — standard operating payments — ranging from 20 to 30 percent of the project costs allegedly funneled to legislators and senior public works officials.

According to the report, former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara and his associates admitted to facilitating “advances” to lawmakers in exchange for securing budget allocations and project approvals.

The ICI said the money trail revealed how legislators allegedly used their influence to insert projects into the National Expenditure Program, the General Appropriations Act, and unprogrammed funds in exchange for commissions from favored contractors.

Those identified for possible criminal liability include Senators Villanueva and Estrada; former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co; former Congresswoman and ex-Undersecretary Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy; Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana; and former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

The culpability of ex-DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan is also being looked into. Also recommended for prosecution were DPWH engineers Alcantara, Brice Ericson Hernandez, and Jaypee Mendoza for allegedly acting as conduits in the flow of kickbacks. The report included corroborating affidavits, photographs of cash deliveries, and transcripts from Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings.

The ICI cited P150 million allegedly delivered to an aide of Senator Villanueva in Bocaue, Bulacan; P355 million worth of projects linked to Senator Estrada; and P35 billion in projects attributed to former congressman Co, who reportedly received multiple cash deliveries at Shangri-La Fort and his Valle Verde residence.

The commission said the alleged acts may constitute violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Direct and Indirect Bribery under the Revised Penal Code, and the Plunder Law.

It also urged the Ombudsman to file administrative charges under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees for conflict of interest, acceptance of gifts, and failure to properly disclose assets.

Remulla confirmed Tuesday that his office is also examining the possible liability of certain DPWH officials for “gross inexcusable negligence” in allowing the alleged payoffs to proliferate.

He said the investigation covers top-level oversight lapses that may have enabled the scheme to thrive for years.

“I had a discussion earlier with former Secretary Rogelio Singson and Justice Andres Reyes, and some of these may be attributed to gross inexcusable negligence,” Remulla said. “As the agency responsible for infrastructure, it was their (respondents’) job to ensure that things happened properly.”

Remulla said investigators are also working to locate Orly Guteza, a retired Marine officer who testified before the Senate on the same issue, to determine if he will return to corroborate his statements before the Ombudsman.

“We’re looking at all the narrations as a whole — from the Senate trials to the revelations that came after,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ombudsman said the investigation into former Senate president Francis Escudero was ongoing, focusing on money trails that may connect him to alleged fund diversions related to the flood control cases.

“If we can’t find it through the AMLA trail, we will have to follow up on the cash trail,” Remulla said.

Headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr., the ICI was created under Executive Order 94 to investigate corruption in infrastructure projects, particularly flood control works under the DPWH.