At least 8 people dead, dozens injured in Davao quake, aftershocks

 

Damage to Manay's hospital  

The Philippines has counted eight people dead, 395 injured and almost half a million people affected as aftershocks, the strongest at magnitude 6.8, continued to rumble through Mindanao today following last Friday’s 7.4 magnitude earthquake that originated 48 kilometers off Manay, Davao Oriental.

The Manay quake followed the 6.9 magnitude quake that originated 19 kilometers northeast of Bogo, Cebu, on Sept. 30 and caused extensive damage mainly to Cebu’s oldest churches, and neighboring provinces, leaving 74 dead and 559 injured.

As hundreds of aftershocks have rolled up and down the archipelago -- originating in west of La Union, Zambales and Batangas in Luzon, as well as mostly in northern Cebu in the Visayas and the Davao region in Mindanao -- at least four volcanoes were reported acting up, although experts said they may not be related.

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Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occ. has emitted ash, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to raise Alert Level 2, while Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon registered 72 volcanic earthquakes, prompting Alert Level 1, along with Mayon and Taal in Albay and Batangas.

Following the Mindanao quakes, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has counted 8,440 persons displaced and sheltered in evacuation centers, while relief supplies such as food packs and temporary shelters had been distributed to some 79,000 people.

It estimated a P100,258,000 cost for 273 damaged government faciilties in Davao and Caraga regions, including 32 road sections and eight bridges.

More earthquake hazards may be expected, Philvocs said.

“Earthquake-induced landslides, rock falls, and other types of mass movement may occur on sloping terrains, specifically in mountainous or hilly areas. Liquefaction, manifested by subsidence, ground fissures, sand boils, and/or lateral spreads, may affect low-lying, water-saturated, and sandy areas near water bodies. Active river channels and coastal areas may be vulnerable to inundation of seawater due to the combination of liquefaction-induced subsidence and changes in sea level due to high tide. Sinkholes may appear in areas with limestone bedrock,” it added.

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Strong earthquakes are not new to Davao Oriental and surrounding areas.

Records show at least six significant earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from M7.1 to M8.3 hit Davao Oriental and nearby provinces between 1885 and 2023, because it is located in one of the most seismically active regions of the country.

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“The most recent damaging earthquakes were the MS7.1 and MS7.5 earthquakes in Manay, Davao Oriental, on 17 May 1992. In both earthquakes, several buildings and infrastructure were damaged in Davao Oriental Province. A tsunami hit the eastern coast of Mindanao as well,” Philvolcs said.

ICC rejects interim release for Duterte

 

The ICC says Duterte is a high flight risk

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected former president Rodrigo Duterte’s request for interim release, ruling that his detention must continue under the Rome Statue due to high flight risks, obstruction and potential further offences.

The Oct 10 decision was influenced largely by Vice President Sara Duterte’s public remarks and actions, particularly her suggestion that she would “break her father out” of ICC detention and her attempts to discredit the court by alleging collusion and fake witnesses.

VP Duterte’s comments made in August that her father intended to return to Davao City if freed, was also said to contradict his lawyers’ assurance that he would stay in the unnamed host country.

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Apart from this, the ICC said that given the former president’s “political influence, extensive network in the Philippines and continued support” including that of his daughter, increased the possibility that he would abscond if released.

Duterte's supposed frail health is cited as a ground for the interim release application (File)

In response to the decision, Duterte’s lead lawyer Nicholas Kaufman said the defense has already filed an appeal. Surprisingly, Kaufman said this was done “a week ago,” when the decision was published only on Friday.

He also said that if the case was before a domestic court, “there would have been no hesitation to release an 80 year old sick and debilitated man, kept from the public for more than half a year, and for whom unprecedented State guarantees had been provided.”

Kaufman hit out at what he said “civil society activist lawyers” being quoted actively in the media of accusing Duterte’s supporters of judicial trolling and lambasting defence submissions and filing “frivolous” petitions to sanction him.

Separately, the former president’s son, Davao City 1^st District Paulo “Pulong” Duterte has slammed the ICC’s decision on the interim release as a “gross and disgraceful miscarriage of justice” and as “political theater.”

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Rep Duterte also said in his Facebook post that the Central Intelligence Agency was complicit in what he again described as his father’s kidnapping.

He warned those who took part in the alleged abduction that they will “pay for this crime,” adding that they might just have turned his father into a martyr.

Duterte supporters outside the ICC's detention facility at The Hague

Duterte’s lawyers had asked for his temporary release, citing his age, supposed unstable mental health, and his willingness to remain in a third country that will take him in while the case against him is being heard.

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But the ICC decided Duterte must continue to remain in detention as he faces charges of multiple murders and attempted murder as crimes against humanity.

The decision was signed by Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera.

 

OEC to be linked to e-Travel Pass

 

The Philippine government will soon integrate the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), the document that OFWs sometimes need to line up for so they could return to their places of work after a vacation - with the e-Travel Pass, which all Filipinos need to present before leaving the country.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that with the linking, a returning OFW will only need to present the e-Travel Pass at the Immigration counters before being allowed to fly out of the country.

“Right now, we're piloting the merger of the OEC and the e-Travel Pass,” Secretary Cacdac said. “The e-Travel Pass will serve as the primary departure document.”

Right now, a departing OFW is required to present both the OEC and the eTravel Pass before being cleared to fly out of the country.

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He said the Department of Migrant Workers is working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to merge the two documents. He expects the new system to be in place by early next year, or even earlier.

Speaking during the 45th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI) held recently in Manila, Cacdac said the new system will require agencies to register their  workers through the DMW app.

“Once cleared and processed, doon pa lang kayo magkakaroon ng access sa (that’s the only time we will have access to the) e-Travel Pass,” he said.

“Mas simple, mas mabilis, pero may safeguards pa rin (Simple, faster but still with safeguards),” Cacdac added. 

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In other words, the OFW will still need to present all the documents necessary to get the OEC or a similar exit clearance, before being able to complete the registration for e-Travel.

Under Republic Act No 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995) as amended by Republic Act No 10022, the OEC is mandatory for all departing OFWs, including those renewing their contracts or returning to the same employer after a vacation in the Philippines.

In Hong Kong, Migrant Workers Office Officer-in-Charge Antonio Villafuerte said they have yet to get a memorandum on the new system, which is part of the newly-launched OFW e-Services.

DMW e-Services includes the online contract verification in Dubai, where more than 13,000 contracts have reported been verified purely online, significantly reducing daily foot traffic at the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) from 400–500 visits per day to just 150–200.

“We’ve saved OFWs in Dubai an estimated 400,000 dirhams in transportation and related costs, thanks to this online system,” Cacdac said. “That’s what happens when we remove the need to physically go to the office just to get documents processed.”

 

ICC charges Duterte with 3 counts of crimes against humanity

Duterte at his first appearance at ICC in The Hague

Former Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte has been charged with crimes against humanity for the dozens of murders that allegedly took place as part of his so-called war on drugs, launched between 2016 and 2018; and earlier killings while he was mayor of Davao City.

The 80-year-old who is detained at the ICC jail at The Hague, faces three charges: the first over his alleged involvement in the killings of 19 people between 2013 and 2016, while he was mayor of Davao City; the second involves 14 victims of targeted killings from 2016 to 2017; and the third, for the 43 people who died during so-called clearance operations between 2016 and 2018.

The ICC's charge sheet, which includes several redactions, dates from July but was only made public on Monday.

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Duterte is the first Asian head of state to be indicted by the ICC. He was flown in March to the The Hague in the Netherlands where the court is based, and has been detained there since.

Recently, his lawyers asked that Duterte not be indicted, citing his supposed poor mental state.

ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said Duterte was an "indirect co-perpetrator" in the killings, which were allegedly carried out by others, including police, on his orders.

Prosecutors alleged how Duterte and his co-perpetrators "shared a common plan or agreement to 'neutralise' alleged criminals in the Philippines (including those perceived or alleged to be associated with drug use, sale or production) through violent crimes including murder".

The former leader who was called “The Punisher” during his term, has offered no apologies for the brutal “tokhang” killings of supposed drug addicts and pushers. Official figures put the number of victims to more than 6,000 but human rights activists say it could actually run in the tens of thousands.

Duterte said his anti-drugs crackdown was necessary to rid the country of street crimes, but critics saw it as his way of instilling fear and solidifying support for him and his allies.

Despite his detention, Duterte was again elected mayor of  Davao City in 2022. His youngest son, Sebastian Duterte has served as mayor in his stead.

 

Riots follow 2 peaceful anti-corruption rallies in Manila

 

Traffic at a standstill on Edsa as thousands gather for the anti-corruption protest

Unidentified rioters clashed with police near Malacañang Palace Sunday, casting a shadow on two massive anti-corruption rallies held separately in Manila and Quezon City earlier.

Police said 17 rioters were arrested, while 40 police officers were injured in the scuffles near the Mendiola Peace Arch and Ayala Bridge, which had both been barricaded ahead of the protests.

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Black-clad and masked rioters clashed with police and torched a container truck parked on Ayala Bridge and a police motorcycle parked close by. They also hurled stones, bottles, paint, human feces at the officers, who were under strict orders to exercise maximum tolerance.

The protests continued until late at night, with a hotel on nearby Recto Avenue being looted, ransacked and trashed by the rioters, according to eyewitnesses.

The torched container truck on Ayala Bridge

Earlier, tens of thousands of people took part in both the “Trillion Peso March” in front of People Power Monument on Edsa (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) in Quezon City and the “Baha sa Luneta” gathering at Luneta Park in Manila.

The protests were held on the 53^rd anniversary of Martial Law declared by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., and organizers said it was fitting that the abuses of that regime could be linked to the present-day corruption.

The indignation rallies were held in the wake of reports and disclosures that billions, if not trillions, of pesos meant for flood control projects had been siphoned by contractors in collusion with government officials and lawmakers starting in 2016, when jailed former President Rodrigo Duterte, took power.

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Protesters are calling for punishment for all those involved in the plunder, whatever their political affiliation, and for the stolen money returned to the people.

The growing scandal has already led to big political fallouts, including the resignation of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr, and the replacement of Senate President Francis Escudero.

Many of those demanding retribution say President Marcos himself should be held accountable, as the pillage of the past three years had happened under his watch.

The protest actions started early, with various groups converging on both venues as early as 6am.

The gathering at the Edsa Shrine started with a religious service in the morning and a program in the afternoon. It was attended by many unaffiliated individuals who joined youth organizations, labor unions and civil society groups in expressing anger at the country’s biggest corruption in decades.

Among those seen marching to the venue were movie stars Anne Curtis, Maris Racal, Vice Ganda, Donny Pangilinan and  movie queen Catriona Gray.

Aerial shot of the equally peaceful protest at Luneta Park

Over at Luneta, the program started at 9am and was led largely by student groups and progressive organizations.

Among those called to speak was Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, a former senator who was jailed at the instigation of President Duterte, and was cleared of all charges only after he ended his term in 2022.

As planned, some of the Luneta protesters led by Bagong Alyansa Makabayan (Bayan), marched towards Malacanang, but were stopped by police on Mendiola Bridge.

As they were closing the program and declaring the protest a success, the rioters struck. Bayan president Renato Reyes was hit in the face in the rock and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Reyes wrote on Facebook: “The people in Mendiola were angry, years of pent-up anger. We don’t know who the groups were. They’re not affiliated with Bayan. But we could sense their anger. And even after we ended the program, they stayed on. They could be provocateurs or they could just be really angry at what is happening.”

“At the end of this day, the government cannot ignore the problem of corruption and give so-so responses. Kumukulo ang galit ng tao. Huwag maliitin ng gobyerno.”

Standoff in Mendiola between police and protesters

Later, Bayan said in a separate post that 12 of its members were arrested after being caught in the crossfire. They called for the activists’ release while denouncing what it called as the police’s “violent response” to the mayhem.

Europe a growing market for Filipino workers

 

Felicitas Q. Bay, DMW Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Services

OFWs who dream of going to Europe by getting a tourist visa and taking risks in looking for a job once there, can get there faster at less cost -- and with their rights looked after by the host governments.

They just need to go back to Manila and participate in the recruitment programs for countries with which the Department of Migrant Workers has established agreements for the recruitment of Filipino workers.

On Oct. 15, for example, 10 Croatian employers will descend at DMW’s headquarters in Mandaluyong to recruit workers for their hotel industry, according to Felicitas Q. Bay, DMW undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Services.

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She told a recent press briefing that the recruitment activity will coincide with Croatia-Philippines Friendship Week celebration.

Employers from Lithuania are also looking for workers in the manufacturing and service industries, she said.

“The same is true with Poland, with 104 accredited employers with 12,000 job orders,” she said. Poland has hired 664 workers so far.

Czech Republic, on the other hand, already has 12,000 Filipino workers, mostly in the manufacturing and transportation industries.

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With 62 accredited employers with 7,765 job orders this year, the country has raised its quota of workers imported from the Philippines from 5,000 last year to 10,300 this year.

The rise in numbers comes less than a year since DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac signed a joint labor communique on joint labor mechanisms with his Czech counterpart, in a ceremony held in Manila and witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Czech President Petr Pavel.

The agreement features fair and ethical recruitment, identification of sectors where Filipinos are in demand and continuing dialogue between the two countries.

“We asked the workers; their feedback is good regarding treatment by their Czech employers,” Bay said.

In fact, she said, the Philippine embassy in Prague is seeking the host government’s permission for the Migrant Worker’s Office to expand so it can have a welfare officer to serve the needs of the workers not just in Czech Republic but also in Lithuania, Estonia, Ukraine and Poland.

Massive anti-corruption protests in Phl set for Sept 21

 

First to show mass outrage were students at UP Diliman (UP Facebook page)

An estimated 30,000 people are expected to turn out for the “A Trillion Peso March” set for 2pm on Sunday, Sept. 21 at the Epifanio delos Santos (Edsa) People Power Monument in Quezon City, to vent their anger at widespread corruption in the country.

The crowd estimate came from the organizers Tindig Pilipinas,  a coalition formed by church leaders angered by recent disclosures of anomalous flood-control projects for which the government spent P1.9 trillion over the past 15 years.

Another big crowd of protesters which include militant groups, students, drivers and church people, are due to gather at 9am on the same day at the Luneta Park in Manila for the "Baha sa Luneta" rally.

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The protest actions are being held on the 53^rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the country by then President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., who was toppled by the People Power movement that began on Edsa in 1986.

Ironically, Sunday’s anti-corruption protests were triggered by disclosures made by Marcos Sr’s namesake and current president, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., in his State of the Nation Address in June about the siphoning of billions of pesos in public funds for flood-control projects, a big number of which turned out to be “ghost projects” or were not built at all.

Marcos, Jr. said in recent interviews that he shared the sentiments of the people, and would be out in the streets himself “if he were not president.” He encouraged people to demand accountability but urged them to maintain peaceful protests.

Ateneo posted this call to protest on its FB page

Tindig Pilipinas co-convenor Kiko Aquino-Dee said in a TV interview that the group has coordinated with the police and other government agencies to ensure that the protest will be peaceful and meaningful, especially to participants who are first-time rallyists.

“We’re really taking seriously the idea that it will be the first time that a lot of people will engage in protest this Sunday and we want to make sure that while it’s a venue to express anger, it’s also a place to do it peacefully, safely and it’s a meaningful experience for everyone who will be attending,” he said.

Aquino-Dee also said the protests will be non-partisan in that anyone could speak out against any politician or individual alleged to be involved in the massive corruption, but they should not openly endorse any political leader or group.

He also said that since politicians appear to have been behind the funding of the anomalous projects no politicians will be allowed to speak. Instead, ordinary people affected by the corruption, including flood victims, will take to the stage.

The Luneta protest organized by Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (Tama Na) will start at 9am, but participants will gather earlier in various parts of Metro Manila before marching to the park.

Among those taking part is Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), whose members will gather at three different places at 6am before heading to Luneta Park. One meeting place is the Baclaran church in Paranaque City, another at Mall of Asia in Pasay City, and .the third at Quezon City Hall.

Bayan chairperson Teddy Casino said they were also expecting bikers’ and joggers’ groups to hold their own protests at the park before joining the main event.

A group of jeepney drivers said they will give free rides to those who will join the Luneta protest.

Separate protests were staged earlier by students in different schools, particularly the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

7,000 students and faculty members joined today's protest at UP Los Banos (PhilStar photo)

The latest to show indignation were thousands of students and faculty members in various schools who walked out of their classrooms today, Friday, and held protest actions. They not only expressed anger at the corruption, but also demanded a higher budget allocation for education.

These included those at Ateneo de Manila University and the UP units in Los Banos, Manila, Baguio, and Mindanao.

 At Visayas State University, protesters staged a candlelight vigil to express outrage.

House of Representatives picks new speaker

New Speaker Faustino Dy III delivers acceptance speech

The Philippine House of Representatives changed its leadership today, electing Faustino "Bojie" Dy III of Isabela’s 6th District as speaker to replace Martin Romualdez of Leyte, who resigned.

"I step down not in surrender, but in service — for sometimes, the greatest act of leadership is the grace to let go, so that this institution may endure stronger than before," Romualdez said before the vote.

For his part, Dy said in his acceptance speech that his administration will be accountable and transparent. "We will listen to your voices," he added.

The House vote came nine days after the Senate voted Vicente Sotto III as its new president to replace Francis Escudero, and started a revamp that saw senators who support former president Rodrigo Duterte relegated to the minority bloc.

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Both reorganizations were prompted by the growing scandal over flood control projects.

While the Senate vote to remove Escudero was triggered by efforts to limit the Duterte bloc-led Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation to projects from 2022 to 2025, instead of from 2016 to cover bigger scandals during the Duterte administration, Romualdez’s resignation came after efforts by critics to link him to “budget insertions” that funded the failed projects.

Some of those critics appear to have been appeased, as only 28 abstained from voting for Dy as compared to 34 who did not vote for Romualdez when the 20th Congress opened last July 28. 

Among the converts were independent congressmen Toby Tiangco (Navotas, Lone District), Duke Frasco (Cebu, 5th District) and Albee Benitez (Bacolod, Lone District), whose vote for the new speaker signified they were joining the majority.

Malacanang welcomed the new House leadership.

“We respect the independence of the chamber and acknowledge the contributions of former Speaker Martin Romualdez. We now look forward to working with Speaker Faustino Dy III to advance measures that strengthen the economy, ensure basic services, and protect our democracy,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had earlier ordered that completed infrastructure projects must now be formally accepted by local government officials before the Department of Public Works and Highways can mark them as finished and pay the contractors.

Marcos said told a press conference that he was surprised to learn that this was removed during the Duterte administration.

Labor attaché linked to flood control mess recalled

 

Labatt Maglanque has also been put in the immigraton lookout list

Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans J. Cacdac has ordered the recall of the country’s labor attaché in Los Angeles, Macy Monique Maglanque, after she was tagged by Senator Panfilo Lacson to a company linked to flood-control anomalies.

Cacdac said in a statement on Friday that the recall will give Labatt Maglanque an opportunity to personally respond to the questions about her involvement in the questionable deals.

 “Today, we have issued a recall order for Labor Attaché Maglanque so that she can return home and personally face the investigation. No penalty has been imposed yet, but it is important that she herself responds to the questions—not only from the DMW but also from any other investigations that may be necessary,” said Secretary Hans Cacdac.

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He said the recall is a routine procedure that is in line with the DMW’s commitment to due process.

“She will only be facing the investigation. This is part of our commitment to integrity and accountability in public service,” Cacdac added.

Labatt Maglanque is the daughter of Mayor Rene Maglanque of Candaba, Pampanga and former president of Globalcrete Builders, a construction company that secured Php2.195 billion worth of flood control projects from 2018 to 2024 in Bulacan alone, said Lacson.

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Together with the daughters of Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, the younger Maglanque is said to have formed MBB Global Properties Corp, which now owns Wyndham Garden Hotel in Clark, Pampanga.

Lacson said the initials MBB stand for Maglanque, Bonoan and Bernardo, signifying an unholy alliance between the powerful contractor and the two DPWH officials.

The MBB company is said to stand for the mayor and the two top DPWH officials

Labatt Maglanque is said to be the president of the MBB group, while Sunshine M. Bernardo, the daughter of the former USec, is corporate secretary; and Fatima Bonoan dela Cruz is treasurer.

Following Lacson’s expose, new DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon has requested that Bonoan and the three executives of the MBB Group be put on the immigration lookout bulletin

Labatt Maglanque’s Facebook profile indicates she became a labor attaché in 2017, and was initially posted in Singapore before being moved to LA four years later.

She holds a bachelor of science degree in management of financial institutions from De La Salle University, and a master in business administration from the University of London.

Flood control probe widens; million-people protest set

 

EDSA Shrine rally (GMA News photo)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has added a third front in the investigation of failed and ghost flood control projects, while the Department of Public Works and Highways has begun filing criminal complaints against the first batch of erring employees.

Amid these government moves, a million-people rally is being planned at the Luneta on Sept. 21 to express outrage for the “large-scale thievery”, capping off a series of protests in streets and schools. 

The latest of these were Friday’s protest by students at the University of the Philippines in Diliman and Saturday's march from the EDSA Shrine to the People Power Monument in Quezon City.

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“Let us call out and condemn the politicians and contractors who wear different colors but worship the color of money, who steal our people’s money,” declared a statement by the convenors, which included the Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (TAMA NA) and the Panatang Luntian Coalition.

Another protest, dubbed the “Trillion Peso March,” led by the Clergy for Good Governance, will take place at the People Power Monument on EDSA the same day.

Both events were timed for the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law by the president’s father, Ferdinand Sr., in 1972.

It is not yet certain when the three-member Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), created by Marcos under Executive Order No. 94, will begin to “hear, investigate, receive, gather, and evaluate evidence, intelligence reports, and information, against all government officials and employees, and any other individual, involved in anomalies, irregularities, and misuse of fSunds in the planning, financing, and implementation of government flood control and other infrastructure projects nationwide.”

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Malacañang has named former DPWH Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, who cleaned the agency during the term of President Benigno Aquino Jr., and SGV and Co. country managing partner Rossana Fajardo, as the first two of ICI’s three members. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong will act as special adviser and investigator. 

The chairperson is expected to be appointed next week.

“The President has appointed individuals of proven competence, integrity, and deep familiarity with infrastructure, finance, and institutional reform,” presidential spokesperson Claire Castro said.

“As the President has repeatedly said: no one will be spared. Even relatives, friends, or allies — there will be no sacred cows [in the ICI investigation],” Castro said.

Even if ICI starts its investigation, the ongoing inquiries by the Senate and the House of Representatives will continue, according to Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate Blue ribbon Committee.

“The Senate Blue Ribbon probe and the work of the independent commission are complementary. They won’t compete with each other,” he said.

Lacson said the first hearing next Thursday in which he will be chairman, will not only generate evidence that could be used by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), but also help in crafting anti-corruption laws.

He said he found evidence that could confirm revelations in Congress last week that Senator Jinggoy Estrada received a 30 per cent commission from P355 million paid for flood control projects that were never built. 

Estrada and Joel Villanueva, who was alleged to have gotten a 30 per ent cut of $600 million in ghost projects, have denied the allegations.

For his part, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon will aim for DPWH personnel responsible for anomalous flood control projects to return the money they stole. “It is not enough to go to jail. It is not enough to be held accountable. We need to return the people’s money,” he said.

Among the measures he would explore is to freeze and forfeit in favor of the government the assets of persons named in cases that result from these projects, with the help of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

Last Thursday, the DPWH filed the first batch of graft charges against 20 government engineers and employees from Bulacan, and four private contractors and their owners, including the Discaya couple. He said the DPWH would file a second batch next week against those involved in Oriental Mindoro projects.