ICI recommends filing charges against Jinggoy, Villanueva, Co, and others to the Ombudsman

• The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) recommended plunder, bribery, and corruption charges against several officials
• Those named include Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, former congressmen Zaldy Co and Mitch Cajayon, and COA Commissioner Mario Lipana
• The alleged scheme involved flood control projects with kickbacks reaching up to 30%
• Complaints were officially filed with the Ombudsman on October 29

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has recommended filing plunder, bribery, and corruption complaints before the Ombudsman against Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada.

Former congressmen Zaldy Co and Mitch Cajayon, along with Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana and other officials, were also included in the recommendation.

According to ICI Chairman Andres Reyes Jr., testimonies from witnesses revealed that the scheme started with lawmakers who had allocated budgets for infrastructure projects.

They allegedly informed Engineer Henry Alcantara about these funds. He said the scam often involved flood control projects since the kickbacks were higher—around 25% to 30%—compared to the usual 10% for other types of projects.

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The ICI also recommended charges against former Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

Reyes stated that the individuals involved may have violated laws on direct and indirect bribery, corruption of public officials under the Revised Penal Code, and Republic Acts 3019 and 7080, which cover corruption and plunder.

Reyes declined to answer questions from the media after announcing the commission’s recommendations.

He added that the ICI formally filed the complaints on Wednesday, October 29, at 1 p.m. against those accused of pocketing public funds from flood control projects.

The case now awaits action from the Office of the Ombudsman.

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Source: KAMI.com.gh