Escudero, Binay, Romualdez to face criminal charges over flood control mess

Metro Manila, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation has recommended the filing of malversation and indirect bribery charges against Senator Chiz Escudero, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and Makati Mayor Nancy Binay over links to the flood control mess based on the testimony of a former public works official and a former security detail, the justice chief said on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Former Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo told the Senate blue ribbon committee that Escudero and Binay received kickbacks from flood control and other infrastructure projects.

Orly Guteza, former security detail of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, said he delivered payoffs packed in suitcases to Co and former House Speaker Romualdez. The three have denied the allegations.

“Recommendation pa lang pero syempre, lahat na nabanggit, sensitive na matter ito. Syempre, wala tayong sisinuhin dito,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in an ambush interview on the sidelines of the inquiry.

[Translation: This is just a recommendation but all that were mentioned are included since this is a sensitive matter. We will not spare anyone.]

Remulla said malversation is non-bailable for cases of more than P8.8 million.

Asked about the possible arrest of the public officials, Remulla said, “This is still the case build-up. Iba pa ‘yung status ng preliminary investigation at doon pa sa determination ng resolution ng preliminary investigation, doon lang natin ipa-file sa korte, at sa korte ang mag-i-issue warrant of arrest.”

[Translation: The preliminary investigation is another status, and from the determination of resolution in the preliminary investigation, just then we will file a case in court and the court will issue the warrant of arrest.]

The justice chief said they will also ask the Anti-Money Laundering Council to issue a freeze order on the assets of the three, and will be subject to an immigration lookout bulletin order.

Escudero and Romualdez stepped down from leading the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, after being dragged in the scandal.