MANILA – Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, three other incumbent lawmakers, two former lawmakers, and 15 other individuals have been recommended for prosecution for their alleged involvement in the flood control projects scandal, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced.

A press statement from the agency released on September 26, 2025, stated:

“The Department of Justice (DOJ) today confirms that, on the strength of sworn affidavits executed before the DOJ and the NBI, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the prosecution of the following individuals for case build-up with the National Prosecution Service (NPS):”

1. Congressman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co

2. Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero

3. Senator Emmanuel Joel Jose Villanueva

4. Senator Jose “Jingoy Estrada” Pimentel Ejercito Jr.

5. Alias “Beng Ramos”

6. Alias “Mina”

7. Undersecretary Mary Mitzi “Mitch” Lim Cajayon-Uy

8. Mr. Maynard Ngu

9. Former Senator Ramon Bautista “Bong” Revilla Jr.

10. Carleen Villa

11. Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo

12. Engineer Henry Alcantara

13. John Carlo Rivera

14. Linda “Victoria” Macanas

15. Juanito Mendoza, CPA

16. Sally Nicolas Santos

17. Jesse Mahusay

18. Alias “Andrei Balatbat”

19. Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez

20. Engineer Jaypee Mendoza

21. Engineer Arjay Domasig

The DOJ emphasized that the recommendation stemmed from affidavits submitted this week by former Department of Public Works and Highways officials Alcantara, Hernandez, Mendoza, and Bernardo.

“Their statements provided the basis for identifying these individuals as having sufficient preliminary links to the acts under investigation,” it said.

The agency clarified that the NBI’s recommendation was not based on speculation or rumor, but on testimonies under oath.

“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,” the DOJ added.

During the September 25 hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Bernardo, reading his sworn affidavit, alleged that Escudero received ₱160 million—representing a 20% kickback from ₱800 million worth of government projects—through the former Senate president’s friend and campaign donor, Maynard Ngu.

The rest of those recommended for prosecution were alleged to have either received kickbacks or were involved in manipulation of project bidding, falsification of documents, and incomplete, substandard, or “ghost projects.”

DOJ spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said the NBI is evaluating other individuals who may be added to the list.

Meanwhile, the DOJ is set to request an Interpol blue notice against Rep. Co to locate and monitor him abroad.

Co was named by witnesses in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation as having demanded—and received—kickbacks of up to 25% of funds allocated for flood control projects from 2022 to 2025.

Alcantara, former Bulacan First District Engineer, testified that Co received as much as ₱519 million in kickbacks.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Interpol blue notice would allow authorities to track Co’s movements overseas, as he is now considered a subject of a criminal investigation.

“‘Pag sinabi pong blue notice, ano lang po ‘yun to give us information on their whereabouts and how they’re going about their business. Ano yan, para siyang person of interest, because with the Interpol being notified that they are subjects of an investigation, of a criminal investigation,” the DOJ chief explained.

Co, who reportedly secured a travel clearance from the House of Representatives, initially left for the United States for medical treatment. However, Remulla said the congressman is currently in Europe.

“Nasa Europe siya. Spain or France. A lot of text messages are coming in that he’s in France,” the DOJ chief added.

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III has revoked Co’s travel clearance and gave him until September 29 to return, warning that failure to do so may result in disciplinary and legal action by the House.

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