MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is examining 16 computers assigned to suspended officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities involving flood control projects, prosecutors said on Wednesday.
The computer examination emerged during proceedings before the Sandiganbayan in the malversation case against former senator Bong Revilla, who is accused of being the proponent of a P92.8 million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan that prosecutors allege did not exist.
A member of the prosecution team said the NBI’s forensic examination of the computers remains ongoing.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Ma. Jaynevive Ortiz Luis testified that one of the computers was assigned to Carlo Rivera, a former staff member under ex-DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara.
Rivera previously testified that he delivered money allegedly collected from contractors to Alcantara on numerous occasions. He told the court that the amounts involved ranged from P2 million to P10 million.
Prosecutors said Luis’ testimony aimed to establish the chain of custody of the computers being examined by investigators.
The prosecution also said an NBI computer forensic officer is expected to testify in court in the coming days regarding the results of the examination.
When asked whether the computers contain records identifying project proponents, a prosecutor said investigators have yet to determine that as the forensic review continues.