DOJ proceeds with PI on Bulacan projects; Revilla, Villanueva among respondents

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday proceeded with its scheduled preliminary investigation into infrastructure projects in Bulacan that were reported as fully completed but were later found to be either grossly deficient or entirely non-existent.

DOJ Assistant Secretary Atty. Polo Martinez said the hearings covered cases involving WAWAO Builders and Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc., which handled projects under the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office (DEO). The projects were declared “100 percent completed” despite alleged serious irregularities.

Martinez said former senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and Joel Villanueva are respondents in two separate cases, each involving a different infrastructure project.

The charges under investigation include direct bribery, corruption of public officials, and malversation through falsification, as well as alleged violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act (Republic Act No. 9184) and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019).

The DOJ clarified that the cases are separate from the earlier five cases involving SYMS Construction Trading.

“These are separate from the original five cases involving SYMS Construction Trading,” Martinez said, adding that all five SYMS-related cases have already been referred to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Martinez said the complete records of the SYMS-related cases have been transmitted to the Ombudsman for appropriate action.