Romualdez, Binay not in flood control mess charge list - DOJ

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Justice has officially released the list of personalities that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recommended for filing of charges in connection with the flood control corruption — and contrary to an earlier statement, neither Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez nor former Senator Nancy Binay are in it.

After the Senate blue ribbon hearing on Thursday, Sept. 25, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told reporters that all newly implicated names in anomalous deals would be added to the first batch of five officials identified in a previous hearing.

While Remulla did not initially name names, he confirmed, when asked individually, that both Romualdez and Binay were on the charge list.

“Si Speaker kasama [The Speaker is included],” Remulla said, referring to Romualdez, who resigned as House Speaker amid the flood control controversy. Remulla answered in the affirmative too when asked about Binay.

Questioned about Romualdez’s eventual exclusion from the list released on Friday, Sept. 26, Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said the witness who implicated Romualdez, Orly Guteza, “has not yet been to the DOJ.”

”Also, we are validating the news that the lawyer who supposedly notarized the affidavit disowned the same,” Clavano said.

Guteza, who identified himself as a security aide to Ako-Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co from December 2024 to August 2025, told the blue ribbon thathe delivered suitcases of cash to Romualdez’s residences.

Meanwhile, Clavano said the NBI found no direct link to Binay in the testimony of former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who said he only spoke with Binay’s staff, Carleen Villa.

“The line to Sen. Binay is still being built,” Clavano said.

Romualdez and Binay have denied the allegations.

Charge list recommendation

Meanwhile, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is among the 21 people the NBI recommended for prosecution and further case build-up. This was correctly announced by Remulla earlier.

Bernardo said the then Senate president spoke to him about participating in DPWH projects, after which he gave a 20 percent kickback of ₱160 million to Escudero’s friend, Maynard Ngu — allegedly on Escudero’s behalf.

Escudero denied the allegation, calling it an attempt to derail the investigation and divert attention from Co and Romualdez.

Remulla has said that the NBI is recommending charges against Co, whom former DPWH engineer Henry Alcantara linked to ₱35.024 billion in budget insertions for a number of projects, from which he allegedly received up to 30 percent in kickbacks.

In a letter to the House dated Sept. 25, Co — who said he is still receiving medical treatment abroad — said he “has every intention” to return to the Philippines to face and disprove the allegations against him, but he did not give a date.

The NBI list includes Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, as previously disclosed. Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, who was not in the Sept. 23 list, was added to the roster. All have denied the accusations.

Here’s the complete list released by the DOJ.

Rep. Zaldy Co

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero

Sen. Joel Villanueva

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada

Senate staff Beng Ramos

WJ Construction owner Mina Jose

Former Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy

Special envoy to China for trade, investments, and tourism Maynard Ngu

Former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla

Carleen Villa, Binay’s staff

Former Usec. Roberto Bernardo

Former DPWH Engineer Henry Alcantara

Former DPWH Engineer John Carlo Rivera

Certain Linda “Victoria” Macanas

Former DPWH Engineer Juanito Mendoza

SYMS Construction owner Sally Santos

Jelsie Construction general manager Jesse Mahusay

Driver Andrei Balatbat

Former DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez

Former DPWH engineer Jaypee Mendoza

Former DPWH engineer Arjay Domasig

The DOJ said the recommendations were based on sworn affidavits of former DPWH engineers Alcantara, Hernandez, Mendoza, and, most recently, Bernardo.

”Let it be clear: inclusion in the NBI’s recommendation is not a matter of speculation or rumor. It is the result of sworn testimony under oath,” the agency said.

“If names have circulated outside of these affidavits, those are not recognized by the DOJ or the NBI until such time that they are sworn to under proper proceedings,” it added.

The DOJ said the National Prosecution Service will now begin a rigorous case build-up and turn over all files and supporting documents to the newly formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure.