The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the filing of charges against several high-profile political figures and former public works officials over alleged irregularities in flood control projects that have drawn intense scrutiny in Congress.
According to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the NBI’s findings point to indirect bribery and malversation of public funds as the basis for charges against Sen. Joel Villanueva, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Rep. Zaldy Co, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, ex-Caloocan City congresswoman Mich Cajayon-Uy, and former Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara.
The names of Villanueva and Estrada earlier surfaced during Senate Blue Ribbon hearings for allegedly receiving billions in flood control allocations under questionable circumstances. Both lawmakers denied wrongdoing, but the issue has persisted as part of the broader controversy surrounding what critics described as “pork barrel” insertions in the DPWH budget.
House Appropriations Chair Zaldy Co has also been repeatedly tagged in testimonies, particularly by whistleblower Alcantara, who alleged that Co facilitated allocations for Bulacan projects in exchange for cuts. Alcantara himself is included in the NBI’s recommendation, reflecting the depth of DPWH’s internal role in the scheme.
Former undersecretary Bernardo, along with Cajayon-Uy, has been linked to the approval and steering of projects to preferred contractors, based on accounts presented in both Senate and House inquiries.
