DOJ: Whistleblowers now 'telling-all;' evidence enough to implicate officials

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers and a contractor are now “telling-all” to the Department of Justice (DOJ), providing enough evidence to implicate even senators and lawmakers, an official said Friday.

Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres named engineers Brice Hernandez, Henry Alcantara, Jaypee Mendoza, RJ Domasig, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, and contractor Sally Santos.

“Previously, [in] the first interview, they did a few anecdotes, narratives. The second interview they gave a little more, but now I’m very happy to say that they are telling everything,” Andres said in an ambush interview.

He said that at this point, the DOJ has sufficient evidence to implicate a “handful” of senators and congressmen.

Based on the sworn testimonies of Alcantara, Hernandez, and Mendoza, the National Bureau of Investigation previously recommended the prosecution of several lawmakers to the DOJ, including former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and former lawmaker Zaldy Co.

All personalities allegedly involved have denied the allegations.

“There is a next batch of six cases ready for case build up and eventual filing as preliminary investigation by middle or late next week,” Andres said.

“For the next batch, there will be proponents or politicians involved in downloading and who availed of the kickback so you can expect a congressman, past or present to be involved in the next batch of cases, senators, whether past or present… and other proponents who may be involved,” he added.

No blanket immunity

Andres, however, clarified that they have already informed the whistleblowers that they will not be given blanket immunity.

“We are not giving any blanket immunity to any of the whistleblowers. And they have agreed to that and they understand the situation. But we will give specific immunity for each particular case where their testimony will be used,” he said.

He also doubled down on the issue of restitution.

The undersecretary said that the whistleblowers are already cooperating on this aspect and may return up to P1 billion to the nation’s coffers.

“Sabi ko kailangan kayo magtulungan to return a substantial amount whether it be in cash, in property, in vehicles, in jewelry it has to be returned. Anyway these other properties can be auctioned eh,” he said.

Discayas no longer cooperating with DOJ

Meanwhile, he said that contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya are no longer cooperating with the DOJ.

The Discaya couple previously withdrew their cooperation with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure after they saw a media interview of ICI Commissioner Rogelio Singson, where he said that no one has yet qualified to become state witnesses.

“As far as the Discayas are concerned, they have stopped coordinating with us. I heard from public declarations that after the ICI hearing, they are no longer cooperating,” he said.

“So I do not know where they want to seek us, but the office is always there open if anybody, any possible whistleblower would come forward, to seek the help of the Witness Protection Program,” he added.

GMA News Online has reached out to the Discaya camp for comment and will update this story once it is available. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News