MANILA — More than ₱4 billion worth of assets belonging to individuals and firms linked to allegedly corruption-tainted flood control projects are now under freeze orders issued by the Court of Appeals (CA), according to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on Oct. 3.

These freeze orders, secured by the AMLC from the CA, cover a total of 1,620 bank accounts, 54 insurance policies, 163 motor vehicles, 40 real properties, and 12 e-wallet accounts, said AMLC Executive Director Atty. Matthew M. David.

“Among the assets seized are high-value holdings such as a luxury compound in a prime urban district, multiple high-end vehicles, virtual currencies, and unit investment trust funds,” he said.

Under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), the AMLC is tasked with requesting freeze orders from the Court of Appeals on funds and assets tied to the commission of — or plans to commit — illegal activities.

Such orders aim to help authorities trace, preserve, and recover ill-gotten wealth or stolen public funds.

Within 24 hours of the issuance of a freeze order, banks and financial institutions are required to submit a report detailing the current balances of the subject accounts, along with a list of any suspicious transactions related to those accounts.

To date, the AMLC has secured four freeze orders from the CA related to flood control assets, the latest issued on Oct. 3.

The CA issued the first freeze order on Sept. 16, just days after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) requested the freezing of assets belonging to 26 individuals, including private contractors and former public works officials.

That initial order covered 135 bank accounts and 27 insurance policies belonging to the listed individuals.

These same individuals are respondents in the first batch of criminal complaints filed by the DPWH with the Office of the Ombudsman.

The AMLC expanded the scope of subsequent freeze orders requested from the CA to include real properties and motor vehicles, among other assets.

The agency stated that its new directive broadens the investigation’s reach, targeting more assets linked to alleged irregularities in flood control spending.

“The freeze orders have already led to the immobilization of assets valued at over P4 billion — a figure expected to rise as the inquiry deepens,” David said.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the freeze orders cover at least ₱1 billion worth of properties owned by the couple Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya, identified as key figures in the scandal.

Though he declined to specify which Discaya properties were frozen, citing sensitivity and data privacy concerns, Dizon said, “Definitely, included here was the mansion that was thrown with mud by our fellow citizens.”

David said the AMLC will file civil forfeiture cases against the frozen assets and any additional assets discovered, along with money laundering charges against those involved in the alleged scheme.

The issuance of freeze orders marks another decisive step in the government’s broader crackdown on corruption in public infrastructure projects, David noted, affirming the AMLC’s commitment to tracing financial links to public sector anomalies.

“These freezes are real actions that stop corruption. Every peso frozen is a peso that cannot be used to sustain corruption,” David underscored.

📷 AMLC