Over 40 individuals linked to flood control anomalies face detention this November—Dizon
By Trixee Rosel
At A Glance
- Over 40 individuals involved in flood control anomalies in Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro are set to face jail this November.
- Bulacan case involves 26 people, including the Discayas and Henry Alcantara; Mindoro case involves 15, including former congressman Zaldy Co.
- Cases are non-bailable, with criminal charges expected soon, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said.
- The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is prioritizing 80 of 421 flood control projects under investigation.
More than 40 individuals involved in flood control anomalies in Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro would likely stay in jail as early as November this year, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon disclosed on Thursday, Nov. 13.
Dizon said criminal charges related to the projects are expected to be filed soon.
In Bulacan, 26 people—including the Discayas and Henry Alcantara—are implicated.
Meanwhile, 15 individuals in Mindoro, including former congressman Zaldy Co and his company, are also expected to face jail time, Dizon added.
“Hindi na maghihintay ng Disyembre. Ngayon lang November ay may makukulong na (They will not wait until December. Already in November, some will be jailed),” Dizon said, adding that the cases are non-bailable.
Co has yet to return to the Philippines following the controversy.
His legal counsel, Ruy Rondain, claimed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla prejudged his client.
Co continues to deny wrongdoing and intends to respond in the proper forum.
Meanwhile, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is prioritizing 80 of the initial 421 flood control projects under investigation, ICI special adviser Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said.
“Out of the 421, we are prioritizing the 80 projects na ang involved diyan are the 15 or 18 na contractors na minention ni [President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.] (Out of the 421 projects, we are prioritizing 80, which involve the 15 or 18 contractors mentioned by [President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.]),” Azurin said.
He noted that bid documents are being gathered with the help of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
“So, we need to study 'yung bid documents. Ibabangga namin 'yan sa actual na implementation (So, we need to study the bid documents and compare them with the actual implementation),” he added.