16 more persons requested for immigration lookout by ICI amid flood projects probe
At A Glance
- Sixteen more individuals have been requested by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to be placed under an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) as the body continues to discover more details related to the anomalous flood control projects.
A flood control project. (Santi San Juan)
Sixteen more individuals have been requested by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to be placed under an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) as the body continues to discover more details related to the anomalous flood control projects.
Sought to be placed under ILBO were: former Caloocan 2nd district representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy, Art Atayde, Alvin Tan, Bong Marasigan, Elmer de Leon, Ed Fuentebella, Johnny Santos, John Mary Vianney Parago, Alvin Mariano, Ryan Uy, Darryl Recio, Nestor Venturina, Benjie Tocol, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Metro Manila First District Engineer Aristotle Ramos, DPWH Quezon Third District Engineer Michael Rosaria, and DPWH project engineer Angelita Garucha.
ICI did not provide an explanation as to why they requested the Department of Justice (DOJ) to place these individuals under ILBO. However, some of them have been linked to the anomalous flood control projects in one way or another.
According to ICI, the new ILBO request was made to DOJ on Oct. 13.
Meanwhile, three other individuals—namely Cebu City district engineer Ramon Devanadera, Quezon City Second District Engineer Johnny Protesta Jr. and Bogs Magalong, a former congressman's aide—were once again included in the Oct. 13 request, although their names were already mentioned on the first request made by the body.
"It was inadvertence on our part," ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka said of the move.
On Oct. 8, ICI first made an ILBO request for 33 individuals—many of them were incumbent and former congressmen, as well as senators.
In an interview with reporters on Oct. 13, Hosaka explained that requesting an ILBO was the most the ICI could do since a Hold Departure Order (HDO), which can actually prevent individuals from escaping the country, could only be issued against an individual with a pending case.
“Yung hold departure order kasi yung nag iisue nyan yung korte (The hold departure order is being issued by the court). So unless a case is filed sa (before the) Sandiganbayan, wala pang (there's no) hold departure. So this is one we can do right now is to ask or request for an ILBO,” Hosaka said.
And even that could only be issued by the court, or in this case, by the Sandiganbayan.