ICI recommends charges vs. Bong Revilla, others over flood control mess

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Wednesday submitted a referral against former senator Bong Revilla Jr. and others to the Office of the Ombudsman over anomalous flood control projects.

In a press briefing, ICI chairperson Justice Andres Reyes Jr. said the commission is recommending the filing of charges against Revilla, businessman Maynard Ngu, and other individuals.

Others recommended to be charged were Carleen Villa, Gerard Opulencia, Manny Bulusan, Ruel Umali, Gene Ryan Altea, J.Y. Dela Rosa, Mrs. Patron, and Carlo Aguilar. 

“Ang posibleng mga kaso ay direct or indirect bribery at corruption of public officials, plunder, and administrative sanctions, amongst others,” Reyes said.

(The possible cases are direct or indirect bribery and corruption of public officials, plunder, and administrative  sanctions, among others.)

Revilla has denied allegations that he received kickbacks from the government flood control projects.

Further investigation

Aside from this, Reyes recommended to the Ombudsman to conduct further investigation on the alleged involvement of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, former senator Nancy Binay, former Senate finance chairperson Grace Poe, and Senator and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Mark Villar in anomalous flood control projects.

“Because of the gravity of the allegations, the commission also recommends that the following individuals be referred to the OMB for further investigative review and case build up with the understanding that any additional evidence obtained by this commission will be submitted immediately,” Reyes said.

Reyes said the referral is based on the affidavits and testimonies given by former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. 

Bernardo previously accused Revilla of receiving 25% worth of commissions of flood control projects, a claim that the former senator has denied.

When asked why some of the senators are only recommended for investigation, Reyes said that the ICI needs witnesses.

“Mga driver, mga katulong, kusinera, butler, secretary, accountant. We need more witnesses,” he said.

(Drivers, helpers, cooks, butlers, secretary, accountant. We need more witnesses.)

“And then, pangalawa, we are not washing our hands from these cases. We are just joining hands with the Ombudsman. In the meantime that they are investigating, we are also investigating. So two heads are better than one,” he added.

Meanwhile, Reyes said the ICI will submit additional evidence that may lead to more charges against former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan, former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and Catalina Cabral, former lawmaker Zaldy Co, Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana, and former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara, and assistant district engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza.

'Denied' his right

In a statement, Revilla’s spokesperson Atty. Maria Guinto said the former senator did not receive an invitation from the ICI and was not asked to explain or defend himself.

"From the beginning, our client made himself fully available to the ICI and openly welcomed their inquiry. Yet he was never invited to speak, never given the opportunity to defend himself, and never allowed to present the truth," Guinto said.

"He is deeply disappointed to have been denied such a fundamental right, though he still holds trust and faith in the system," she added.

She said that Revilla will address the allegations against him once the Ombudsman accords him of his right to preliminary investigation.

Meanwhile, Guinto said that the ones linking Revilla’s name to the corruption have admitted to being part of a syndicate. 

"Sila ang nakinabang sa daang-bilyong piso na ginagamit nila ngayon para bilhin ang kanilang pagtakas sa hustisya," she said.

(They are the ones who benefited from the hundreds of billions of pesos that they are now using to buy their escape from justice.)

'No surprise'

Meanwhile, Poe said the recommendation to further investigate her only proved that Bernardo's allegations were false and lacked basis. 

Bernardo previously said she received 20% commitment from the list of projects under the 2025 General Appropriations Act. It was supposedly collected by a certain Mrs. Patron, a contractor, at the Diamond Hotel.

"This is no surprise to me and to the people who know me because I had always conducted myself with utmost integrity," Poe said in a message to GMA Integrated News.

She said that she will cooperate with the Ombudsman's investigation.

"Rest assured that I will submit to further investigations by the Ombudsman to the end that the truth will actually be uncovered and appropriate charges are eventually brought against those who are truly responsible," she said.

‘Baseless’ 

For his part, Villar said the allegations against him are “baseless and unsupported by any evidence.” 

The senator said he is fully prepared to participate in the Ombudsman’s investigation.

“I welcome a thorough and impartial review that will bring the truth to light and ensure that those genuinely accountable are held to answer. I am confident that any fair investigation will dispel the false allegations against me,” Villar said in a statement.

He maintained he has always conducted himself with integrity and that his track record will speak for itself.—AOL/ VDV/JMA, GMA Integrated News