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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOJ names 21 persons, 3 of them incumbent senators, for criminal prosecution in 'anomalous' flood control projects

DOJ names 21 persons, 3 of them incumbent senators, for criminal prosecution in 'anomalous' flood control projects

Published Sep 26, 2025 02:27 pm
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday, Sept. 26, identified 21 persons, three of them incumbent senators, who have been recommended by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for criminal prosecution in the “anomalous” flood control projects.
In a press statement, the DOJ said those recommended for prosecution by the NBI are required to answer, under the rule of law, the serious allegations against them.
The DOJ said the possible criminal offenses are violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, indirect bribery under Article 111 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), and malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the RPC.
Based on the DOJ’s press statement, those recommended for prosecution are:
1. Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy "Zaldy" S. Co
2. Senator Francis Joseph "Chiz" Escudero
3. Senator Emmanuel Joel Jose Villanueva
4. Senator Jose "Jingoy Estrada" Pimentel Ejercito Jr.
5. Alias "Beng Ramos"
6. Alias "Mina"
7. Former Caloocan 2nd District representative Mary Mitzi "Mitch" Lim Cajayon-Uy
8. Mr. Maynard S. Ngu
9. Former senator Ramon Bautista "Bong" Revilla Jr.
10. Ms. Carleen Y. Villa
11. Former DPWH undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo
12. Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Henry C. Alcantara
13. Mr. John Carlo Rivera
14. Ms. Linda "Victoria" Macanas
15. Mr. Juanito Mendoza, CPA
16. Ms. Sally Nicolas Santos
17. Mr. Jesse Mahusay
18. Alias "Andrei Balatbat"
19. Former DPWH assistant district engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez
20. Former DPWH assistant district engineer Jaypee D. Mendoza
21. DPWH Project Engineer Arjay D. Domasig
“The DOJ will now subject this recommendation to rigorous case build-up under the National Prosecution Service,” the DOJ said.
The DOJ released the names after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla revealed on Thursday, Sept. 25, that the NBI made the recommendation for the prosecution of persons who were named during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings.
“This recommendation stems directly from the sworn testimonies of Engineer Henry Alcantara, Engineer Brice Hernandez, Engineer Jaypee Mendoza, and former Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo,” the DOJ said.
It also said the sworn testimonies “provided the basis for identifying these individuals as having sufficient preliminary links to the acts under investigation.”
At the same time, the DOJ said that it is ready, at any time, “to turn over the files and all supporting documents to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).”
It also said: “We trust that an independent body is in the best position to conduct a holistic evaluation of all the evidence, free from the distortions of politics or speculation,” it pointed out.
Meanwhile, DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV assured that the NBI continues to look into the involvement of other government officials who were named during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings but were not yet recommended for prosecution.
“The NBI is strengthening the links so it is ripe for recommendation to the NPS (National Prosecution Service),” Clavano said.
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