MANILA — The Court of Appeals has issued a freeze order on the bank accounts and insurance policies of officials and contractors allegedly involved in anomalous Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects in Bulacan, the agency confirmed Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

DPWH Secretary Vince B. Dizon announced in a press briefing at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) that “freeze” orders have been enforced on the accounts of those linked to the controversial projects. He was joined by Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Atty. Matthew M. David and BSP General Counsel Atty. Roberto L. Figueroa.

Dizon said the action followed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to recover public funds allegedly diverted through fraudulent transactions.

“Hindi sapat na matanggal sa trabaho. Hindi rin sapat na makasuhan at makulong. Ang utos ng Pangulo ay kailangan maibalik ‘yung pera ng mga kababayan natin,” Dizon said.

A day before the freeze order, Dizon sent a formal letter to the AMLC requesting assistance in preparing an ex-parte petition to prevent the dissipation of assets linked to unlawful activities. The letter, dated September 12, 2025, sought to freeze the accounts of 26 individuals, including DPWH officials and private contractors.

Among those named were Henry C. Alcantara, Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, Jaypee D. Mendoza, John Michael E. Ramos, Ernesto C. Galang, Lorenzo A. Pagtalunan, Norberto L. Santos, Jaime R. Hernandez, Floralyn Y. Simbulan, Juanito C. Mendoza, Roberto A. Roque, Benedict J. Matawaran, Christina Mae D. Pineda, Paul Jayson F. Duya, Meg Jaron C. Laus, Lemuel Ephraim C. Roque, Arjay S. Domasig, John Carlo C. Rivera, John Benex S. Francisco, Jolo Mari V. Tayao, Roma Angeline D. Rimando, Cezarha Rowena C. Discaya, Pacifico Discaya II, Mark Allan V. Arevalo, Sally N. Santos, and Robert T. Imperio.

The freeze order, according to the AMLC, covers 135 bank accounts and 27 insurance policies. It was issued under Republic Act No. 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act, as well as Section 7 of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), which allows funds linked to unlawful activities, including “money muling,” to be temporarily held.

In his letter, Dizon stressed that the freeze order was necessary “to temporarily preserve these monetary instruments or properties, thereby preventing their owners from utilizing them while the State prepares to build its case.”

Supporting documents attached to the request included a DPWH complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman, a DPWH Internal Audit Service Special Audit Report dated August 25, 2025, and a Commission on Audit Fraud Audit Report dated September 8, 2025.

BSP officials also expressed support for the DPWH’s request to investigate potential money laundering activities by personalities already facing charges before the Ombudsman.

Dizon said the government, through the AMLC and BSP, is determined to recover the people’s money.

“We greatly appreciate the AMLC’s prompt attention and assistance in this critical matter, which is vital for upholding public trust and ensuring accountability,” the DPWH said in its communication to the AMLC.