MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation filed plunder complaints before the Department of Justice on an unspecified recent date against former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co over their alleged involvement in a multibillion-peso ghost flood control project scheme.
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez confirmed that the NBI submitted the complaints for preliminary investigation. The NBI accused the respondents of facilitating and benefiting from the release of public funds for flood control projects that investigators said were nonexistent or grossly overpriced.
According to the complaints, the projects involved multiple flood control contracts in various locations that authorities did not implement as programmed. Investigators alleged that lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund and other public funds financed the projects, which state auditors later flagged as ghost or irregular.
The NBI said project documents supported the release and liquidation of funds despite the absence of completed infrastructure. Field validation and audit reports reportedly showed sites without actual structures or with work that did not match approved plans.
The complaints cited the Anti-Plunder Law, alleging that the diverted funds exceeded the statutory threshold for plunder. The NBI asked the DOJ to file plunder and related graft charges before the Sandiganbayan after the preliminary investigation.
The DOJ will evaluate the complaints, issue subpoenas, and require counter-affidavits before determining probable cause. The respondents have not issued formal statements as of filing.
