MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday disclosed that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) moved to press charges against several lawmakers and former officials in connection with the sworn affidavit of former DPWH engineer Henry Alcantara.
Testifying before a Senate committee, Remulla said he had met with representatives of the NBI, AMLC, and the National Prosecution Service inside the Department of Justice compound to assess Alcantara’s disclosure.
“We determined that the NBI would be investigating it and on the outset they recommended the filing of charges already,” Remulla said. He added that the complaint was now treated as formally endorsed by the NBI.
The DOJ chief also confirmed that the AMLC has begun acting on the case and has issued freeze orders on bank accounts of those implicated.
According to Remulla, the individuals recommended for prosecution include Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, Rep. Zaldy Co, former Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, former Caloocan Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy and other personalities mentioned by Alcantara in his affidavit.
The charges to be filed cover violations of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Article 211 of the Revised Penal Code on indirect bribery, and Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code on malversation of public funds.
Remulla further revealed that investigators are also looking into the role of Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana and his wife, a contractor, following allegations raised by Alcantara.
The DOJ chief said the case remains under review as both the NBI and AMLC continue their parallel investigations.
