Amid the Flood Control Investigation, ICI Suggests Filing of Charges over Alleged “Kickback” Scheme
ICI – The Independent Commission for Infrastructure recommends the filing of cases against Zaldy Co and senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada among others.
Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered the creation of an independent body that will investigate the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption. His order led to the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure is a three-member body led by former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr. Amid the public clamor to livestream the flood control hearings, the commission previously confirmed that they will livestream the future hearings but they will not release the recordings of the past hearings.
The ICI has invited several government officials tagged in the flood control issue to the investigation. Among them are Senator Chiz Escudero and Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez. The former House Speaker vowed to extend any help he can for the fast resolution of the issue.
Romualdez was accused of allegedly receiving “kickback” from the flood control projects by contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya. He denied the accusation asserting that he is “self-made”. However, even after his resignation, an ex-marine who claimed to be a former staff of Zaldy Co, Orly Guteza, appeared before the Senate flood probe and further pinned him down.
According to Guteza, he was allegedly part of the team that supposedly delivered suitcases filled with millions of money to the residences of Zaldy Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The said “surprise witness” was presented by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
The ICI has also invited Zaldy Co to the flood control investigation but the resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative did not return to the Philippines. Recently, the commission recommended the filing of cases against him and senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva among others.
Based on a post of News5 on social media, the ICI recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against some government officials and a former official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for allegedly receiving “kickback” from the flood control projects of the government. The commission suggested the filing of cases against the following:
- Former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co
- Sen. Joel Villanueva
- Sen. Jinggoy Estrada
- Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo
- Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana
- Former Caloocan Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy
Based on the post, ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr. said the above-mentioned individuals can be charged over direct or indirect bribery, plunder, and corruption. The recommendation of the commission is based on the testimonies of some witnesses that appeared before the Commission.
“No one will be spared in this fight against corruption,” Reyes expressed.
The Senate will seemingly resume its flood control probe soon. However, according to Sen. Ping Lacson, the “surprise witness” presented by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta who pinned down Co and Romualdez could not be found.