AMLC probes financial transactions of flood control contractors

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is now looking into the financial transactions of contractors linked to the ongoing probe into the alleged anomalous flood control projects.

“As part of its mandate, the AMLC is examining financial transactions of those potentially linked to alleged anomalous flood control projects,” AMLC Executive Director Matthew David told GMA News Online.

“It is working closely with other government and law enforcement agencies (including the Office of the Ombudsman, Bureau of Internal Revenue and National Bureau of Investigation) to ensure a comprehensive financial investigation,” David said.

The alleged corruption in flood control projects came to light after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., last month, bared that 20% of the total P545-billion budget for flood control projects was cornered by only 15 contractors, describing it as a “disturbing assessment.”

In his fourth State of the Nation Address, the President vowed to ensure that those involved in anomalous flood control projects would be held accountable. 

The flood control controversy triggered both chambers of Congress to launch their own probes into the anomalies.

During Monday’s hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, controversial contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya name-dropped several congressmen and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) who were allegedly demanding certain percentages or kickbacks in exchange for the projects to be awarded to their firms.

At Tuesday’s hearing of the House Infrastructure Committee , Former Bulacan 1st district assistant engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez named Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva, and former DPWH 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara and Undersecretary Robert Bernardo as supposedly involved in anomalous flood control projects.

In a statement, Estrada challenged Hernandez to take a lie detector test with him before the public as he denied the accusations. 

GMA News Online has also reached out to Villanueva for comment and will publish it once available.

Meanwhile, the President is also forming an independent commission to further investigate the alleged corruption in flood control contracts.

Asked if the assets of those involved in the anomalous flood control projects could be frozen, AMLC’s David said, “Yes. Under the AMLA (Anti-Money Laundering Act), a freeze order may be issued by the Court Appeals (CA), upon the filing of an application by the AMLC, after the CA finds that there is probable cause to believe that a monetary instrument or property is in any way related to an unlawful activity or a predicate crime.”

“Corruption, tax evasion and smuggling are predicate offenses under the AMLA, as amended,” David said.

Thirty of the country’s most influential business groups have joined the call to hold individuals involved in the anomalies in flood control projects accountable, issuing a strong statement condemning the alleged corruption in the government’s public works contracts. —VAL, GMA Integrated News