MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the prosecution of 21 individuals, including three incumbent senators, in connection with alleged anomalies in government flood control projects, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Friday.

The three senators recommended to face charges are Francis Escudero, Joel Villanueva, and Jinggoy Estrada, all of whom have denied the accusations.

Other individuals on the list include

• Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
• Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co
• Former Caloocan Rep. Mary Mitzi “Mitch” Lim Cajayon-Uy
• Former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo
• Former DPWH assistant regional director-OIC Henry Alcantara
• Former DPWH district engineer-OIC Brice Ericson Hernandez
• Former DPWH assistant district engineer Jaypee Mendoza
• Project engineers John Carlo Rivera and Arjay Domasig
• DPWH Finance Section accountant Juanto Mendoza
• DPWH driver Andrei Balatbat
• Two aliases, “Beng Ramos” and “Mina”
• Businessman Maynard Ngu
• Carleen Villa
• Linda “Victoria” Macanas
• SYMS Construction’s Sally Nicolas Santos
• Jelsie Construction and Supply Inc.’s Jesse Mahusay.

“This recommendation stems directly from the sworn testimonies of Engineer Henry Alcantara, Engineer Brice Hernandez, Engineer Jaypee Mendoza, and former Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo,” the DOJ said. “Their statements provided the basis for identifying these individuals as having sufficient preliminary links to the acts under investigation.”

DOJ spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said the recommended charges include violations of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), indirect bribery, and malversation.

“Let it be clear: inclusion in the NBI’s recommendation is not a matter of speculation or rumor. It is the result of sworn testimony under oath,” Clavano said.

Clavano added that the DOJ will now conduct a “rigorous case build-up” under the National Prosecution Service, and those listed will be required to answer the allegations.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has reportedly sought assistance from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to locate Co, who is out of the country and was last reported in Spain.

“The SOJ has already given the instructions to apply for a Blue Notice from Interpol through our local offices. This is based on the investigation of the [Senate] Blue Ribbon Committee as well as the NBI recommendation to prosecute,” Clavano said.

The DOJ spokesperson also noted that Marine Orly Guteza, a witness in the Senate investigation and Co’s former security consultant, failed to attend a scheduled evaluation meeting with the DOJ. Lawmakers have called for a deeper background check on Guteza after irregularities reportedly surfaced in the notary of his statement and links to personalities from the previous administration.

(PNA)