FORMER Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers and a contractor are providing detailed testimonies to the Department of Justice (DOJ), offering enough evidence to implicate even senators and lawmakers in alleged corruption schemes, a DOJ official revealed on Friday.
Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres identified the individuals cooperating with the DOJ as engineers Brice Hernandez, Henry Alcantara, Jaypee Mendoza, RJ Domasig, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, and contractor Sally Santos.
“Previously, in the first interview, they shared a few anecdotes, narratives. The second interview they gave a little more, but now I’m very happy to say that they are telling everything,” Andres stated in an ambush interview. He added that the DOJ now possesses sufficient evidence to implicate a “handful” of senators and congressmen.
Based on sworn testimonies from Alcantara, Hernandez, and Mendoza, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had previously recommended the prosecution of several lawmakers to the DOJ, including former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and former lawmaker Zaldy Co. All individuals allegedly involved have denied the accusations.
“There is a next batch of six cases ready for case build up and eventual filing as preliminary investigation by middle or late next week,” Andres said. He further stated that the next batch of cases will involve “proponents or politicians involved in downloading and who availed of the kickback,” suggesting that a congressman (past or present), senators (past or present), and other proponents may be implicated.
Andres clarified that the whistleblowers have been informed that they will not be granted blanket immunity. “We are not giving any blanket immunity to any of the whistleblowers. And they have agreed to that and they understand the situation. But we will give specific immunity for each particular case where their testimony will be used,” he explained.
The undersecretary also emphasized the importance of restitution, stating that the whistleblowers are cooperating on this aspect and may return up to P1 billion to the nation’s coffers. “I said you need to work together to return a substantial amount whether it be in cash, in property, in vehicles, in jewelry, it has to be returned,” he said.
Andres also noted that contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya are no longer cooperating with the DOJ. The Discaya couple had previously withdrawn their cooperation with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) after an ICI Commissioner stated that no one had yet qualified to become state witnesses. “As far as the Discayas are concerned, they have stopped coordinating with us,” Andres said. He reiterated that the DOJ is always open to any potential whistleblower who wishes to come forward and seek the help of the Witness Protection Program.
