DPWH seeks list of properties, luxury vehicles of 26 persons allegedly involved in flood control mess

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has sought the assistance of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Registration Authority (LRA), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to identify assets registered with their respective agencies of individuals allegedly linked to the alleged anomalous flood control projects.

In his letters to LTO Chief Vigor Mendoza II, LRA Administrator Gerard Sirios, CAAP Director General Raul del Rosario, and MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon is seeking a full inventory of motor vehicles, lands, water vessels and even aircraft registered under the names of DPWH officials.

These officials include former DPWH OIC-Assistant Regional Director Henry Alcantara, former DPWH Officer-in Charge (OIC) District Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez, former OIC-Assistant District Engineer Jaypee Mendoza, Construction Section chief John Michael Ramos, and Ernesto Galang of the Planning and Design Section.

Dizon also requested the list of assets of DPWH personnel Lorenzo Pagtalunan, Norberto Santos, Jaime Hernandez, Floralyn Simbulan, Juanito Mendoza, Roberto Roque, Benedict Matawaran, Christina Mae Pineda, Paul Jayson Duya, Merg Jason Laus, Lemuel Ephraim Roque, Arjay Domasig, John Carlo Rivera, John Benex Francisco, and Jolo Mari Tayao.

Moreover, the DPWH chief sought the assistance of LTO, LRA, CAAP, and MARINA to identify the lands, vehicles, boats, and aircraft of several contractors, such as St. Timothy Construction Corp.'s Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando, Cezarah "Sarah" Rowena Discaya, Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya II; Wawao Builders' Mark Allan Arevalo; SYMS Construction Trading's Sally Santos, and IM Construction Corp.'s Robert Imperio.

“This request was made to prevent the dissipation, removal, or disposal of properties strongly suspected to be the proceeds of, or related to, unlawful activities, as defined under Section 3(i) of RA No. 9160, as amended. Such preemptive action is necessary to safeguard assets from disposal and ensure that ongoing government efforts to combat corruption and money laundering are not undermined,” Dizon said.

Earlier, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on Tuesday announced the granting of freeze orders by the Court of Appeals on the assets— covering 135 bank accounts and 27 insurance policies of individuals and corporations— to individuals with links to the flood control projects anomalies, following a request from the DPWH.

Dizon said the request for the list of properties and vehicles of the personalities being linked to the flood control anomalies is in support of applications for freeze orders and to gather information relevant to money laundering investigations.

Last week, the AMLC announced it is examining financial transactions of contractors linked to the ongoing probe into the anomalous flood control projects, in coordination with the Office of the Ombudsman, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

To recall, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. last month bared that 20% of the total P545-billion budget for flood control projects went to only 15 contractors, which he described as a “disturbing assessment.”

The President has also vowed to ensure that those involved in anomalous projects would be held accountable, triggering controversy in both chambers of Congress to launch their own probes into the issue.

The government has also formed the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which will conduct its own investigation on the irregularities in infrastructure projects, and ensure accountability in the use of public funds.

The commission is chaired by former Supreme Court justice Andres Bernal Reyes Jr., and counts as members former Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, and SGV and Co. country managing partner Rossana Fajardo. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong serves as special adviser and investigator. — RF, GMA Integrated News