DOJ issues immigration lookout order vs. DPWH officials, contractors

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Justice signed the immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against several agency officials and controversial contractors amid the crackdown on alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, Sept. 3, the DOJ said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla signed an initial batch of orders against the personalities tagged in the flood control mess.

Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said the 35 individuals in their monitoring list stemmed from the request of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who chairs the Blue Ribbon Committee investigating the alleged corruption in the flood control deals. He added that more names will be included in the ILBO on Thursday based on the request of Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon.

The ILBO list includes officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways:

OIC - Assistant Regional Director Henry C. Alcantara

OIC - District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez

Engineer Norberto L. Santos, Quality Assurance and Hydrology Section;

Also included were the 15 contractors named by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that bagged ₱100 billion in flood control projects over the past three years, equivalent to a fifth of all projects nationwide:

Alex H. Abelido, President, Legacy Construction Corporation

Cezarah C. Discaya, President, Alpha & Omega General Contractor and Development Corp.

Ma. Roma Angeline D. Rimando, Owner/Manager, St. Timothy Construction Corporation

Allan B. Quirante, Owner/Proprietor, QM Builders

Erni G. Baggao, Owner/Proprietor, EGB Construction Corporation

Eumir S. Villanueva, President, Topnotch Catalyst Builders, Inc.

Lawrence R. Lubiano, President, Centerways Construction and Development, Inc.

Aderma Angelie D. Alcazar, President/CEO, Sunwest Inc.

Edgar S. Acosta, President, Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp.

Wilfredo M. Natividad, Owner/General Manager, Triple 8 Construction &Supply, Inc.

Romeo C. Miranda, President/AMO, Royal Crown Monarch Construction &Supplies Corp.

Mark Allan V. Arevalo, General Manager, Wawao Builders

Marjorie O. Samidan, Authorized Managing Officer, MG Samidan Construction

Luisito R. Tiqui, President, L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.

Ryan Wilie D. Uy, Proprietor, Road Edge Trading & Development Services

“Citing the ILBO, the BI is ordered to monitor the subjects ‘in view of the gravity of the allegations and the ongoing investigation, given that there is a strong possibility that the individuals named may attempt to evade legal processes by leaving the country,’” the Bureau of Immigration said.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the ILBO is for monitoring purposes only, and is not a sufficient prohibition for a subject’s departure from the Philippines.

On Wednesday morning, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon formally urged the DOJ to issue an urgent ILBO against 10 officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the top 15 contractors named by Marcos. 

Some of the DPWH officials on the list were already invited and mentioned during the congressional probe on the flood control programs.

Dizon told Remulla the timely issuance of an ILBO was “of utmost necessity to enable the current investigations to proceed without delay and to hold those liable accountable to the Filipino people.”

The DOJ said it will consolidate the lists of Dizon and Marcoleta.

Dizon’s request came three days after Dizon’s appointment as public works chief, replacing Manuel Bonoan who quit his post amid the controversy.

House infrastructure committee co-chairman Terry Ridon said the committee will also “definitely request the DOJ to issue this order to the Bureau of Immigration.”

Following information that a contractor has left the Philippines, Ridon said that the person should return amid allegations.

“I don't know the reason why they left pero meron talagang kailangang harapin [but they have to face accusation], not just the 15 contractors, but everyone who is actually involved in anomalous flood control projects – ghost and substandard projects,” Ridon said in a press conference.

Ridon also assured the public that those who will be named in the probe would be invited, even if they are lawmakers.