The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada for their alleged involvement in a multibillion-peso kickback scheme tied to national flood control projects.
According to the ICI’s report, several lawmakers were found to have allegedly received kickbacks ranging from 20 to 30 percent of project funds from contractors endorsed through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The supposed scheme reportedly involved the insertion of questionable flood control projects into the national budget, along with inflated costs and payments for incomplete or non-existent works.
The commission, which conducted months of hearings and document reviews, stated that the alleged irregularities were “systematic and deliberate,” pointing to an entrenched network of engineers, contractors, and public officials that diverted funds meant for flood prevention and mitigation efforts.
In its recommendation, the ICI called for the filing of charges such as plunder, bribery, and violation of anti-graft laws, stressing the need to “uphold integrity and accountability” in government infrastructure spending.
However, both senators have denied any wrongdoing and maintained their innocence following the release of the ICI report.
Senator Joel Villanueva said he had long been critical of flood control projects and even questioned their implementation during previous Senate hearings. “I was the one who exposed and questioned these flood control projects that have not been implemented,” Villanueva said in a message to reporters, calling the accusations “baseless and misleading.”
Senator Jinggoy Estrada, meanwhile, dismissed the allegations as “purely hearsay,” insisting that he never received or endorsed any funds related to the projects. “These are baseless accusations. I am confident that the truth will prevail,” he said.
The ICI clarified that its findings do not constitute a verdict, and the Office of the Ombudsman and other relevant agencies will have the final say on whether to pursue formal charges.
The flood control controversy has sparked public concern, especially as the Philippines continues to face worsening flooding and climate challenges. Observers say any corruption within infrastructure programs undermines public safety and erodes trust in government institutions.
The ICI said it will continue to monitor related projects and identify other officials who may have benefited from the alleged scheme.
As investigations move forward, both Villanueva and Estrada face mounting scrutiny. For now, they continue to assert their innocence, while the public awaits whether the government’s anti-corruption drive will translate into concrete accountability.
