Special courts to handle infra corruption cases

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Supreme Court will designate special courts to exclusively handle corruption cases involving infrastructure projects, amid expectations of a surge in cases in connection with the flood control corruption scandal.

In a briefer released on Wednesday, Oct. 29, the court said it has directed the Office of the Court Administrator to monitor the filing of cases before regional trial courts (RTCs). The decision was made by the Supreme Court en banc during its session on Tuesday.

“Once such cases are filed, the SC will designate special courts to exclusively hear and decide corruption-related cases arising from infrastructure projects,” the briefer stated.

In a separate press briefing, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said subpoenas are forthcoming for several individuals in connection with the first five cases currently under preliminary investigation. These investigations will determine whether charges will be filed with the RTCs.

The cases involve ghost flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways-Bulacan First District Engineering Office. Among those implicated are the district’s former engineers Henry Alcanatara, Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, and Arjay Domasig, as well as a contractor who admitted to lending them a license.

“Remember that these cases… which are the subject of preliminary investigation, involved officials of the DPWH who have salary grades below 27. So this is within the purview or within the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice,” Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman is expected to file separate cases against lawmakers and other individuals before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan by November over alleged budget insertions and kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects.