The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) said its plan to file referrals against three senators may be delayed after former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo made fresh accusations in a Senate hearing last week.
Bernardo appeared before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee where he named additional personalities allegedly involved in the flood control scandal and detailed supposed cash deliveries linked to infrastructure projects.
“We are reevaluating everything, because of the affidavit of Usec. Bernardo, so we are studying that,” ICI chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. said.
“So we’ll have a delay of maybe 10 days from last Friday. Hopefully we’ll finish it,” he added.
Asked whether Bernardo’s supplemental affidavit could strengthen their case, Reyes responded, “We’ll have to look at the first and second affidavit.”
The ICI earlier recommended criminal and administrative charges against Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co, COA Commissioner Mario Lipana, former legislator Mitch Cajayon-Uy, and Bernardo himself. The body also signaled that three more current and former senators would face similar charges.
Reyes declined to comment on Co’s recent claim implicating President Bongbong Marcos Jr. in the controversy. He added that the commission may invite the new Department of Budget and Management officer-in-charge to further understand the budget process.
In a prepared statement, Reyes praised the Ombudsman for filing the first criminal charges related to the scandal on Tuesday.
“Yesterday was a turning point in our fight against the onslaught of graft and corruption in our country,” he said.
The Ombudsman has filed graft and malversation charges against Co, public works officials, and a construction firm over a “grossly” substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.
“This filing inspires us to work even harder for our countrymen. This is a hard-earned victory and a triumphant step forward on the road to lasting justice,” Reyes said.