DOJ to request freeze on assets of Binay, Co, Escudero, Romualdez over flood control projects mess

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will ask for freeze orders on the assets of former Sen. Nancy Binay, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, former Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, and former Speaker Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Thursday.

Remulla said they would also be included in the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order after they were linked to alleged kickbacks from flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways by former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

"Nadagdag na sila sa request for freeze orders. At saka ILBO," Remulla said in an ambush interview.

"We will have to protect the interest of the state… Mahirap to, mahirap itong kasong ito. But ang aming sinasabi dito, wala tayong sisinuhin dito," Remulla said.

(We will have to protect the interests of the state… This is a difficult case. But what we are saying here is, there will be no sacred cows.)

"Lahat ng kinakailangan ma-ILBO, lahat ng kinakailangan ma-freeze order, lahat ng kinakailangan mahabla, hahabla natin," he added.

(Everyone that has to be included in the ILBO, everyone that has to be included in the freeze order, everyone that needs to be seized, we will include them.)

Witness protection

He clarified that the DOJ has yet to request the issuance, but noted that this is "coming very soon."

Remulla said Orly Guteza, the man who claimed that he delivered a luggage of money to Romualdez's residence, may also be admitted to the Witness Protection Program.

“I monitored the testimony of the sergeant and since he did not participate in any crime, he can be admitted into the WPP. Even as a state witness. It’s not a problem,” Remulla said during the hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

“If he’s not part of the crime, then it’s easier for us. The evaluation stage can be cut shorter,” he added.

Cash deliveries

Earlier, Remulla said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the filing of a complaint for malversation and indirect bribery against individuals Bernardo linked to anomalous flood control projects.

During the hearing, Bernardo tagged Escudero, Binay, former senator Bong Revilla, Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, and Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar.

Binay, Escudero, Revilla, and Co have denied the allegations against them.

Also during the hearing, Orly Regala Guteza, a man who identified himself as a former security consultant of Co told the Senate panel that he personally delivered luggage of money to the residences of Romualdez and Co.

'Product of coaching'

Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., on Thursday denied the claim, insisting he never stole and never will steal public funds.

“I was deeply surprised to hear the allegation raised against me today. The so-called testimony of Sen. Marcoleta's witness is an outright and complete fabrication—nothing more than a desperate attempt to link me to supposed kickbacks where none exist. I have never received or benefited from kickbacks in any infrastructure project," said Romualdez.

He dismissed the testimony as "clearly political and the product of coaching."

"The most telling flaw is the witness' claim that deliveries were made to McKinley beginning December 2024. Imposible iyan (That's impossible). That property has been under renovation since January 2024 and was unoccupied except for construction workers. Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus—false in one thing, false in everything," Romualdez added.

He vowed to fight back against the allegations. — with a report from Llanesca T. Panti/ VDV, GMA Integrated News