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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Escudero, Villar, Poe, Binay among those recommended for probe, raps by ICI

Escudero, Villar, Poe, Binay among those recommended for probe, raps by ICI

Published Dec 3, 2025 03:56 pm

At A Glance

  • The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Wednesday, Dec. 3, submitted a new referral to the Office of the Ombudsman, where it recommended further investigation for case build-up against Senators Chiz Escudero and Mark Villar as well as former senators Grace Poe and Nancy Binay in relation to anomalous flood control projects.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Wednesday, Dec. 3, submitted a new referral to the Office of the Ombudsman, where it recommended further investigation for case build-up against Senators Chiz Escudero and Mark Villar as well as former senators Grace Poe and Nancy Binay in relation to anomalous flood control projects.
At the same time, the ICI also recommended the filing of direct and indirect bribery, corruption of public officials, plunder and administrative charges against former senator Bong Revilla as well as Maynard Ngu, Carleen Villa, Gerard Opulencia, Manny Bulusan, Ruel Umali, Gene Ryan Altea, Carleen Yap-Villa, J.Y . Dela Rosa, Mrs. Patron, and Carlo Aguilar.

ICI chairman retired Supreme Court (SC) associate justice Andres Reyes Jr. made the announcement in a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 3, without mentioning any further details about their new set of csse referrals to the Ombudsman.
What he said was ICI's fresh set of referral was based on testimonies submitted by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.
"Because of the gravity of the allegations, the Commission also recommends that the following individuals be referred to the Office of the Ombudsman for further investigative review and case build up, with understanding that any additional evidence obtained by this Commission will be transmitted immediately," Reyes said, referring to their referrals against Escudero, Villar, Poe and Binay.
Reyes also said that they obtained fresh evidence to be submitted to the Ombudsman for the charges they already recommended against the following individuals:
• Former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan
• Former DPWH undersecretary Catalina Cabral
• Bernardo
• Former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co
• Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana
• Henry Alcantara
• Brice Hernandez, and
•Jaypee Mendoza
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