NBI RECOMMENDS FILING OF CHARGES VS ZALDY CO, 2 SENATORS, 3 OTHERS

THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the filing of criminal charges against Ako Bikol Partylist Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Vilanueva, and three others implicated in the flood control controversies, Justice Secretary Crispin “Boying” Remulla on Tuesday said.

Remulla issued the statement to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee conducting an investigation into the alleged flood control anomalies.

Also recommended by the NBI to face charges were dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Henry Alcantara, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, and ex-Caloocan City Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy.

According to Remulla, the charges include violation of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, indirect bribery under Article 2 of the Revised Penal Code, and malversation of public funds under Article 217.

He said the NBI found sufficient grounds to file raps against the mentioned personalities.

Remulla also said that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) had issued freeze orders on the bank accounts of those implicated in the flood control budget mess.

“We gave a digital file to the AMLC and they already started acting on this because it is already a filed complaint with the Department of Justice. Given that, I believe the freeze orders have been issued already by the AMLC over the bank accounts of these people,” he told senators.

Remulla added that the Department of Justice is (DOJ) is also reviewing possible liability of Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana and his spouse, who was identified as a contractor in Alcantara’s testimony.

On Tuesday morning, Remulla escorted Alcantara out of the Senate Session Hall to the DOJ office to process his sworn affidavit and evaluate his request for inclusion in the Witness Protection Program (WPP) as part of the probe into anomalous flood control projects.

Alcantara named Co, Estrada, Villanueva, former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Bernardo, and Cajayon-Uy in his sworn statement.

Estrada and Villanueva both denied the allegations.