The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed it is moving to file charges against Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, former senator Bong Revilla, and Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co over alleged kickbacks in multibillion-peso flood control projects.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the National Bureau of Investigation and Anti-Money Laundering Council have found grounds to pursue cases, with the AMLC freezing hundreds of bank accounts tied to the scheme.
Former DPWH engineer Henry Alcantara claimed that 25% of project allocations from 2019 to 2025 were diverted as “commissions,” including billions allegedly delivered to Co.
The lawmakers denied wrongdoing, with Villanueva and Estrada insisting they never requested flood control projects, while Co dismissed the claims as baseless.
Despite the denials, parallel investigations are ongoing, and Co also faces an ethics complaint over alleged irregular budget insertions in the 2025 national budget.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 24, 2025
