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DOJ recommends plunder, graft raps vs Jinggoy Estrada, ex-DPWH officials

Ombudsman receives DOJ resolution on flood control anomalies case

Published May 18, 2026 04:28 pm

At A Glance

  • The primary respondents named in the resolution include Senator Jinggoy Estrada, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, former DPWH undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and the late Maria Catalina "Cathy" Cabral.
The Office of the Ombudsman confirmed on Monday, May 18 that it has officially received the Department of Justice (DOJ) resolution recommending the filing of plunder and graft charges against Senator Jinggoy Estrada and several other public officials and private individuals over alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
In a press briefing, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the Ombudsman would conduct an independent evaluation of the DOJ findings before determining whether to affirm, modify, or reverse the recommendations.
“The Office of the Ombudsman confirms that our office has officially received a copy of the Resolution from the Department of Justice National Prosecution Service regarding NPS Docket No. XVI-INV-26A-00003,” Clavano said.
The case stemmed from a criminal complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation-Department of Justice (NBI-DOJ) Public Works and Bid-Rigging Task Force following a preliminary investigation into alleged anomalies involving legislative and public works budget execution.
“In general, the investigation centers on expansive legislative and public works budget execution irregularities. The allegations claim that multiple high-ranking public officials and private individuals conspired to maneuver allocations, rig public bidding processes, and siphon government funds stemming from major national infrastructure budget systems, specifically involving the National Expenditure Program, the Bicameral Conference Committee, the House General Appropriations Bill, and the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025,” Clavano said.
The primary respondents named in the resolution include Estrada, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, former DPWH undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and the late Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral.
Also named respondents were Gerard P. Opulencia (DPWH National Capital Region Regional Director); Henry C. Alcantara (DPWH District Engineer, Region III-Bulacan First District Engineering Office); DPWH-National Capital Region Director Gerard Opulencia; DPWH-Region III-Bulacan First District
Engineering Office District Engineer Henry Alcantara; Bong Dinglasan, Denryl Caesar S. Cortuna (Assistant District Engineer, North Manila); Manny B. Bulusan (District Engineer, South Manila); Arturo L. Gonzales, Jr., and several others.
Clavano said the probe detailed alleged “illicit maneuvers” and “30-percent cuts” connected to regional flood control projects.
“Following months of evaluation, the submission of counter-affidavits, and extensive evidence gathering, the DOJ panel concluded that there is an interconnected networks of public officers who abused their official designations to manipulate project specifications, clear budgets, and rig public bidding workflows,” Clavano said during the briefing.
The DOJ panel recommended the filing of charges for plunder under Republic Act No. 7080, violations of Sections 3(b) and 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, direct bribery under Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code, and corruption of public officials under Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code.
The resolution also recommended dropping charges against Cabral following her reported death on Dec. 19, 2025.
Meanwhile, former DPWH officials Bernardo, Opulencia, and Alcantara were granted coverage under the DOJ’s Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program after prosecutors found their testimonies critical in uncovering the alleged bid-rigging scheme.
The DOJ further recommended excluding the three state witnesses from the final criminal information to be filed in court in exchange for their continued cooperation.
It also recommended for the NBI-DOJ Task Force “to pursue further investigation to fully unmask the identity of the remaining John and Jane Doe's who acted as intermediaries or beneficiaries in the project allocations.”
Clavano said the Ombudsman would now undertake its own review of the case records and evidence.
“Moving forward, the next step will be to allow the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct its own independent review and resolution on the merits of the case,” he said.
“The possible outcomes of the Office’s independent evaluation include affirming the findings of the Department of Justice, amending the resolution, or reversing the findings altogether,” he added.

Related Tags

OMBUDSMAN FLOOD CONTROL JINGGOY ESTRADA DOJ
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