MANILA — ML Partylist Representative Leila De Lima on Friday said she has filed a measure seeking to create a new offense similar in gravity to plunder but easier to prosecute, citing the scale of corruption exposed in the ongoing flood control projects controversy.

De Lima said House Bill No. 6626, or the “Anti-Illicit Enrichment and Anti-Illicit Transfer Act,” is intended to address long-standing concerns about the limitations of the Plunder Law and court interpretations that have made convictions rare.

“In light of the serious observations and criticisms about the Plunder Law and the court decisions interpreting it—coupled with the view that charges for malversation, bribery, graft, and corruption may not be enough given the magnitude of the wrongdoings in the biggest corruption scandal in Philippine history—we filed House Bill No. 6626, or the ‘Anti-Illicit Enrichment and Anti-Illicit Transfer Act,’ today,” she said.

She noted that other countries have adopted similar measures to strengthen accountability mechanisms.

“Isipin po ninyo: Iilan lang ang na-convict ng plunder, may isa pang na-pardon. Sa napakalaking korapsyon gaya ng flood control projects controversy ngayon, na pwede pang maulit sa hinaharap, hindi tama at hindi makatwiran kung pahirapan pa rin ang pagpapanagot sa mga sangkot, o hindi kasing-bigat ng kalokohan nila ang parusang ipapataw sa kanila,” De Lima said, adding that the bill introduces “a new crime kung saan pwedeng magsampa ng mabigat na kaso na parang plunder, pero mas madaling patunayan.”

She explained that unexplained wealth uncovered in lifestyle checks—such as “lote, yate, bahay, condo, helicopter, shares of stock o negosyo na wala sa SALN”—may be considered illicit enrichment if a government official cannot justify ownership. She said that if the illicit enrichment exceeds PHP 50 million and the evidence of guilt is strong, the offense would be non-bailable, similar to plunder.

“Given the magnitude of corruption we are facing today, the enactment of this crucial measure is timely and necessary,” she said.

“Siguruhin natin na imbes na gawing kasangkapan ng mga kurakot ang batas sa pagnanakaw nila, gamitin natin ito para mas madali silang ipakulong at mas mabilis nating mabawi ang mga nakaw na yaman!” De Lima added.