DPWH: AMLC to act on Zaldy Co’s P4.7B air assets, vehicles of 26 others

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is expected to take action on the multi-million vehicle assets of several people tagged in questionable flood control projects, including the P4.7 billion worth of air assets tied to Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, the Public Works Department said.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 24, Secretary Vince Dizon said the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines informed him about the air assets registered to various companies of the former House appropriations chairman, namely, the Misibis Aviation and Development Corp., and Hi Tone Construction Development Corp.

This covers $74.7 million or nearly P4.3 billion for Misibis vehicles and $7.9 million or over P457 million for Hi Tone.

Hi Tone is one of the 15 contractors named by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the firms that cornered the most number of flood control projects.

DPWH data revealed that one of Co’s nine air assets (Gulfstream 350) costs $36 million or over P2 billion.

“So we have also written to the AMLC , the DOJ (Department of Justice) and also the ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure) informing them about this and we will leave it up to them what to do with these assets.

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, Justice Secretary Boying Remulla said the AMLC has already issued freeze orders on the bank accounts of Co and other lawmakers tagged by dismissed district engineer Henry Alcantara as having received multi-million peso kickbacks from infrastructure deals.

Co has denied Alcantara’s accusations.

The lawmaker has been out of the public eye since his name was dragged into the flood control mess. He is seeking medical treatment in the United States, but the House of Representatives has revoked his travel authority and ordered him to return to the country.

Almost P500 million worth of vehicles

Meanwhile, Dizon also said he has asked the AMLC to freeze over P500 million worth of motor vehicles owned by 26 individuals, including public work officials and government contractors.

The list covers over P277 million vehicles of contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya, known for owning dozens of luxury cars.

It also includes the vehicles of dismissed Bulacan engineers Brice Hernandez (P35 million), Jaypee Mendoza (P18.5 million), and Henry Alcantara (P670,000).

The AMLC earlier said the Court of Appeals already issued a freeze order against 135 bank accounts and 27 insurance policies of the 26 personalities involved.

Dizon said the freezing of assets is part of the government’s effort to bring back stolen money from public funds.

“Hindi pwedeng ibenta. Kung meron mga kababayan tayo na nakikipag-transaksyon dito gustong bumili ng mga sasakyan na ito, magdalawang isip na po kayo kasi pati po kayo madadamay dito,” he added.

[Translation: These cars cannot be sold. If any of our fellow countrymen are transacting here and want to buy these vehicles, please think twice because you might get involved in this as well.]