AMLC Freezes Accounts of Estrada, Villanueva, Co Over Alleged Kickbacks in Bulacan Flood Control Projects

Manila, Philippines — The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has ordered the freezing of bank accounts belonging to Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senator Joel Villanueva, Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy Co, and several others allegedly linked to kickbacks from flood control projects in Bulacan.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed the development during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, where Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson pressed him on the results of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and AMLC.

Remulla said the NBI has recommended filing charges of indirect bribery and malversation of public funds against Estrada, Villanueva, Co, former Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Mary Mitzi “Mich” Cajayon-Uy, former Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, and former Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara.

“They recommended the filing of charges already. So we treated this as a complaint, with the NBI as an endorsing agency,” Remulla told the committee.

The DOJ has forwarded a digital copy of the complaint and supporting documents to the AMLC, which has since issued freeze orders on the bank accounts of those implicated. The charges include violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), Indirect Bribery (Article 211 of the Revised Penal Code), and Malversation of Public Funds (Article 217).

Remulla also revealed that the DOJ is examining the possible involvement of Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana and his wife, Marilou Laurio-Lipana, reportedly a contractor.

The accused lawmakers have denied the allegations. “The allegations made against me during today’s Senate hearing are false and baseless,” Co said in a statement, adding that he would respond in the proper forum at the proper time. Estrada and Villanueva issued similar denials.

Former DPWH officials testified that millions in kickbacks were delivered to Estrada, Villanueva, Co, and Cajayon. Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla was also allegedly given ₱30 million through Usec. Bernardo. Alcantara further claimed that Co received the largest share, amounting to ₱7 billion.