Probe of Villanueva, others in flood mess moving–DOJ
The Department of Justice (DOJ) assured the public on Friday that the prosecution of more personalities allegedly responsible for the flood control corruption scandal, including Sen. Joel Villanueva, was moving along as more cases are being submitted for resolution.
Three corruption cases against Villanueva for his alleged involvement in anomalous infrastructure projects are now up for resolution, Justice Undersecretary Polo Martinez said in a press conference.
Evidence and affidavits from certain individuals and investigators have been gathered by a panel of DOJ prosecutors, who will determine whether there is prima facie evidence against him, Martinez said.
Common respondents
All three cases where Villanueva is a respondent involve projects identified with contractors Wawao Builders and Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc., he said.
The senator’s co-respondents were identified as Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio “Boy” Cruz Jr. in two cases, and Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., in one of the cases. Cruz is the former representative for Bulacan’s fifth district in the House.
The common co-respondents in all three are dismissed Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara, who is now in the witness protection program, and his assistant engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza.
3rd plunder case
Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said that the DOJ was still building the case against other lawmakers who were also allegedly involved in the corruption scandal, based on statements from state witnesses. He declined to identify the lawmakers.
The preliminary hearings on two of the three plunder cases against Revilla and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada that started on Feb. 2 will resume next week.
Martinez said Estrada and former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, his co-respondent, have yet to file their counteraffidavits.
The third plunder case, in which former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co is a respondent, is pending resolution, Martinez said.
The DOJ said it was examining only 14 of the 421 “ghost” infrastructure projects as these were the only ones confirmed so far to be nonexistent.
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