A system should be established to allow the government to properly track the status of cases filed against public officials accused of graft and corruption, a lawmaker said.

During deliberations on the proposed budget of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Akbayan Partylist Rep. Chel Diokno asked Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida whether there was an established channel through which investigative agencies communicated and shared data on corruption cases.

Diokno raised the question after citing a reported DOJ prosecutorial success rate of 90.8 percent in 2025. He sought to determine whether the department had separate metrics measuring its success in graft and corruption cases.

Vida said the DOJ would need to “disaggregate” its data, noting that its statistics did not include information from the Office of the Ombudsman, which is a separate constitutional body.

He said coordination between the DOJ, Ombudsman and other concerned agencies was largely ad hoc, adding that efforts were underway toward a legislative measure establishing an anti-corruption code.

Citing heightened public interest in the government’s handling of corruption cases, particularly those linked to the flood control scandal, Diokno said authorities should be able to determine whether officials prosecuted for corruption were eventually convicted and imprisoned.

Citing 2006 data, the lawmaker said that of 110 individuals convicted of graft and corruption, only 10 were found to be actually serving their sentences in jail.

Diokno said such information was important to both the government and the public because millions of pesos in public funds are spent investigating and prosecuting corruption cases.

“The reason I asked is because not one agency can keep track of this. The DOJ can’t handle it, not the Ombudsman, not the NBP or the DILG. Shouldn’t there be a consolidated effort by our government because the millions spent to prosecute would be wasted if the accused was not detained,” he said.

Vida agreed that a legal framework for consolidated monitoring should be established, noting that he was generally able to monitor only cases falling under the DOJ’s jurisdiction.

P841 million in flood control restitutions

Diokno also sought clarification on the reported restitution of P841 million to the national treasury involving public funds linked to the flood control scandal.

The lawmaker asked whether the amounts had been independently investigated through an interagency effort or were based solely on the statements of witnesses.

Vida explained that individuals admitted into the DOJ’s Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program (WPSBP) are required to comply with the department’s terms and conditions to receive immunity.

He clarified that immunity applies specifically to cases in which an individual provides information that can assist state prosecutors.

Should the DOJ or Ombudsman uncover possible offenses beyond those covered by a witness’ agreement, Vida said the state witness could still be held liable and charged.

“When we find a case against these four wherein they failed to disclose or were concealing information, they can still be held accountable,” Vida said. “So if we see something else, I believe that the public can be protected in that regard.”

Vida was referring to former Department of Public Works and Highways officials Roberto Bernardo, Henry Alcantara and Gerard Opulencia, as well as SYMS Construction owner Sally Santos.

All four have testified in the malversation and graft case against former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. involving alleged infrastructure kickbacks from a P92.8 million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.

Revilla posted P1 million bail on 31 July after the Sandiganbayan Third Division granted his bail petition in a 2-1 decision.