ICI defers senators’ referrals over flood control probe

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has deferred its plans to file referrals against three sitting or former senators over alleged anomalous flood control projects, ICI chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. said Wednesday.

Reyes attributed the delay to a supplemental affidavit submitted by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

“We are re-evaluating everything because of the affidavit of Usec. Bernardo. So we’re studying that. So we will have a delay of maybe 10 days from last Friday,” Reyes said.

In his new affidavit, Bernardo reportedly implicated additional individuals, including former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, as recipients of kickbacks from infrastructure projects.

Bernardo had previously admitted to facilitating alleged kickbacks for several political figures. These included Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Mark Villar, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, former Senator Grace Poe, former Caloocan Representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy, San Jose del Monte Mayor Rida Robes and former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.

The ICI had earlier recommended the filing of complaints against Senator Estrada and Senator Joel Villanueva.

Separately, Reyes welcomed the Office of the Ombudsman’s recent filing of malversation and graft cases with the Sandiganbayan against former lawmaker Zaldy Co, several DPWH Region 4B officials, and Sunwest Corporation directors.

Reyes called the filing a “hard-earned victory” and a “triumphant step forward,” asserting that the machinery of law and due process is working as it should.