DOJ may issue subpoenas vs Estrada, Revilla in plunder raps this week

The Department of Justice (DOJ) may issue subpoenas within the week in connection with the separate plunder complaints filed against Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., according to Prosecutor General Richard “Dong” Fadullon.

At a news forum on Thursday,  Fadullon told reporters that preliminary hearings could be scheduled by the end of the month.

“Hopefully, subpoenas may be issued within the week,” he said. 

Fadullon added that the DOJ is conducting preliminary investigations into six malversation complaints involving alleged anomalous flood control projects linked to Wawao Builders and Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc., in which Senator Joel Villanueva is named as a respondent in three of the six complaints.

The DOJ said Villanueva has been given until 26 January to submit his counter-affidavit.

According to Fadullon, charges arising from the cases may be filed before regular Philippine courts or the Sandiganbayan by mid-February, depending on the findings of prosecutors.

On Monday, the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued a warrant of arrest and a hold departure order against Revilla and six other individuals over an alleged P92.8-million “ghost” flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.

Revilla surrendered Monday night to the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at Camp Crame and was transferred to a jail facility on Tuesday.

The senator has denied any involvement in ghost or non-existent flood control projects in Bulacan following his inclusion as a respondent in two complaints filed with the DOJ.

Estrada, meanwhile, has “categorically and vehemently” denied allegations by former Department of Public Works and Highways Bulacan 1st District assistant engineer Brice Hernandez that he received kickbacks from flood control projects.

The DOJ said investigations into all complaints are ongoing as prosecutors evaluate the evidence submitted by both complainants and respondents.