Former DPWH Officials and Ex-Senator Revilla Jr. Detained Over Bulacan Flood Control Scandal
In a significant development in a high-profile corruption case, four former officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and ex-senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. are scheduled to be temporarily confined at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, Quezon City. This move follows their surrender to the Sandiganbayan Third Division by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday afternoon, where commitment orders and booking procedures were issued.
Details of the Accused and Alleged Anomaly
The individuals facing detention include former DPWH 1st District Assistant Engineer Brice Hernandez, Engineer Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, and finance staff member Juanito Mendoza. They are implicated in an alleged anomaly involving P92.8 million worth of "ghost" flood control projects in Pandi, Bulacan. Authorities have confirmed that one suspect, DPWH engineer Emelita Capistrano Juat, remains at large and is currently evading capture.
Simultaneously, in a related arrest, Christina Mae del Rosario Pineda, a cashier at the DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office, was apprehended in Benguet. This highlights the broader scope of the investigation into the irregularities surrounding the flood control initiatives.
Background and Previous Legal Issues
It is noteworthy that Hernandez and Mendoza have a history of legal troubles, having previously been detained in the Senate after being cited for contempt during hearings conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. These hearings focused on alleged irregularities in flood control projects within Bulacan, underscoring the persistent nature of the corruption allegations in this sector.
The case sheds light on ongoing challenges in public infrastructure projects in the Philippines, particularly in flood-prone areas like Bulacan, where such scams can have severe consequences for community safety and government funds.
