MANILA – The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has recommended the filing of criminal charges against several incumbent and former lawmakers, as well as a former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary and a Commission on Audit (COA) commissioner, over their alleged involvement in multimillion-peso kickbacks from flood control projects.

In its Interim Report and Recommendation No. 2025-002 submitted to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, the ICI said it found reasonable grounds to hold liable those allegedly involved in obtaining “bribes or unwarranted monetary benefits” from contractors of government-funded flood control projects.

The report, signed by ICI Chairperson Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. (ret.), detailed testimonies from three DPWH officials — Engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Ericson Hernandez, and Jaypee Mendoza — who admitted to personally facilitating the delivery of money to several legislators and officials in exchange for approving or inserting projects into the national budget.

The ICI identified the following as potentially responsible:

• Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo
• Senator Joel Villanueva
• Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada
• Former Congressman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co
• Former Congresswoman Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy
• COA Commissioner Mario Lipana

The Commission recommended that they be prosecuted for direct and indirect bribery, corruption of public officers, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and plunder under Republic Act No. 7080.

Alleged scheme and kickback system

According to testimonies, the legislators and officials allegedly demanded between 10% and 30% of the total project cost as “SOP” or kickback in exchange for proposing and approving infrastructure projects during budget deliberations.

The scheme reportedly began with project proponents — senators or congressmen — identifying allocations for infrastructure projects. The DPWH engineers would then list specific flood control projects and forward these either to the regional office or directly to the proponent for insertion in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) or General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Once approved, contractors would advance payments ranging from 10% to 25% of project funds to ensure award of the contracts. These amounts were allegedly delivered in cash by the DPWH officials to intermediaries or directly to the legislators.

Specific allegations

• Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo allegedly received and distributed millions of pesos in “SOPs” to legislators. He was also said to have told Engineer Alcantara that ₱300 million in the 2024 GAA was allotted for Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., with the supposed payoff increased to 30%.
• Senator Joel Villanueva allegedly received ₱150 million, representing 25% of ₱600 million worth of flood control projects inserted under his name. The money was reportedly delivered to his aide “Peng” in Bocaue, Bulacan.
• Senator Jinggoy Estrada allegedly received a ₱355 million allocation for flood control projects, with 25% of the total intended as payoff.
• Former Congressman Zaldy Co allegedly received 20–25% kickbacks for ₱35 billion worth of projects from 2022 to 2025. Witnesses said cash-filled suitcases were delivered to his residence in Valle Verde, Pasig, and at the Shangri-La Hotel in Taguig.
• COA Commissioner Mario Lipana allegedly used his wife’s construction firm, Olympus Mining and Builders Group Phils. Corp., as contractor for projects in Bulacan to protect his and Co’s properties.
• Former Congresswoman Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy was accused of receiving 10% from ₱411 million worth of projects in 2022.

ICI recommendation

The ICI said the sworn statements and corroborating evidence “at least merit a thorough investigation” and urged the Ombudsman to initiate criminal proceedings against the identified officials and other individuals who may have acted in conspiracy with them.

It also attached copies of affidavits, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee transcripts, and supplemental statements from the DPWH engineers as supporting documents.

“Subject to further testimonial and documentary evidence, it appears that the named legislators and officials engaged in a scheme to solicit and receive unlawful payments in connection with flood control projects,” the report stated.

The Commission emphasized that the alleged acts caused “the loss of lives and properties and the squandering of billions in public funds.”

The ICI was created under Executive Order No. 94, series of 2025, to investigate corruption and anomalies in the planning, financing, and implementation of flood control and other infrastructure projects nationwide.