NBI Recommends Filing of Charges vs. 21 in Infra Deal Probe

NBI Recommends Filing of Charges vs. 21 in Infra Deal Probe

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | September 26, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the filing of criminal charges against 21 individuals for their alleged involvement in anomalous government infrastructure projects.

Three senators and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials are among those facing charges.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the NBI’s recommendation following an investigation into the alleged corrupt dealings involving infrastructure projects.

Those to be charged include Senators Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero, Joel Villanueva, and Jinggoy Estrada, as well as former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., AKO Bicol Party-List Rep. Elizaldy Co, former Caloocan representative Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, and former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, all implicated in the alleged “ghost” or irregular flood control projects.

Several engineers and private individuals round out the list.

The recommendation is based on sworn testimonies by former DPWH officials Henry Alcantara, Brice Ericson Hernandez, Roberto Bernardo, and Engineer Jaypee Mendoza, who identified the individuals as having “sufficient preliminary links” to the alleged corruption.

Romualdez’s Absence Noted

Notably, absent from the NBI’s recommendation is former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, despite previous testimony implicating him.

DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano explained that Orly Guteza, the witness who named Romualdez, has yet to provide a sworn statement to the DOJ.

Guteza was scheduled to meet with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla but failed to appear at the DOJ early this week.

The NBI is still working to establish a “direct line” of evidence connecting former senator Nancy Binay to the alleged flood project irregularities.

Her aide, Carleen Villa, however, is reportedly among those facing charges.

The DOJ stressed that the NBI’s recommendation is based on witnesses’ sworn testimonies.

“If names have circulated outside of these affidavits, those are not recognized by the DOJ or the NBI until such time that they are sworn to under proper proceedings,” the DOJ explained in a statement.

The recommendation for the filing of charges is now with the National Prosecution Service for further review.

The alleged “ghost” flood control projects continue to draw significant public attention, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in government infrastructure projects.