November 13, 2025 | 12:20pm
MANILA, Philippines — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure will recommend the filing of charges next week against at least three current and former senators over alleged irregularities in flood control projects, its chairperson, retired justice Andres Reyes Jr., said Thursday, November 13.
The ICI chairperson did not name the senators, but clarified that the group is different from Sens. Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, who were already the subject of earlier recommendations by the commission.
This, Reyes told reporters, brings the total number of current and former senators facing charges for flood control corruption to five.
On October 29, the ICI announced it had recommended criminal and administrative charges against Sens. Villanueva and Estrada, as well as former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and Department of Public Works and Highways officials, for their alleged roles in a kickback scheme involving flood control projects.
At that time, Reyes said the scheme relied on a “chain” linking lawmakers, engineers and contractors.
Will more House lawmakers also face charges? Reyes said Thursday that the ICI has already referred one case involving Co, but declined to confirm if additional members of Congress were included in the next batch of recommendations.
“I cannot say for now,” Reyes told reporters. “We are still evaluating the records and findings as they come in.”
The ICI is submitting its fifth interim report to the Office of the Ombudsman today concerning a non-existent but paid-for project in Bocaue, Bulacan.
