Contractor linked to 'anomalous' flood control projects left PH -- BI
A contractor who has been linked to the “anomalous” flood control projects has left the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Thursday, Sept. 4.
But BI Spokesperson Dana Sandoval did not disclose the name of the contractor, the name of his or her firm, the date of departure, or destination abroad.
Sandoval merely said that the contractor is one of the 15 contractors mentioned by President Marcos to have bagged 20 percent of the P545-billion flood control projects in the country.
During an interview on DZMM, Sandoval said the BI has started its verification and monitoring if the contractor would return to the Philippines, and assured that all information will be forwarded to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
At the moment, she said, the BI has no idea on the reason for the travel.
During the public interview, Sandoval confirmed that an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) has been issued against persons allegedly involved in the “anomalous” flood control projects.
She said the ILBO was issued against 35 contractors and officials and employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Earlier, newly installed DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon had asked Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla for the issuance of ILBO.
“Itong listahan po na ito ay galing sa Department of Justice, 35 individuals po in the fictitious flood control projects (The ILBO comes from the DOJ and contains the names of 35 individuals in the fictitious flood control projects),” Sandoval said.
She also said that the ILBO does not prevent a person from travelling out of the country.
“Ang lookout bulletin is simply for monitoring the travel of an individual and prudence in checking ng kanilang mga dokumento to make sure walang freshly issued warrant of arrest or hold departure order (The lookout bulletin is simply for monitoring the travel of an individual and prudence in checking their documents to make sure there are no arrest warrants or hold departure orders issued),” she explained.
Only a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) or a hold departure order (HDO) issued by the courts based on pending cases at the DOJ or those already filed in courts can prevent the departure of a person from the Philippines.