Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Chairperson retired Justice Andres Reyes said Thursday that they will recommend three more current and former senators to be charged next week over alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Reyes did not name the senators but clarified that the group is different from Sens. Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, who were already the subject of earlier recommendations by the commission.
The ICI chair said this brings to five the total number of current and former senators facing charges for flood control corruption.
To recall, on 29 October, the ICI announced it had recommended criminal and administrative charges against Sens. Villanueva and Estrada, as well as former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and Department of Public Works and Highways officials, for their alleged roles in a kickback scheme involving flood control projects.
At the time, Reyes said the scheme relied on a “chain” linking lawmakers, engineers, and contractors.
Asked if more House solons also face charges, Reyes said Thursday that the ICI has already referred one case involving Co but declined to confirm if additional members of Congress were included in the next batch of recommendations.
Reyes said, “I cannot say for now. We are still evaluating the records and findings as they come in.”
The fifth interim report will be submitted by the ICI to the Office of the Ombudsman Thursday concerning a non-existent but paid-for project in Bocaue, Bulacan.