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Cristina Chi - Philstar.com
November 4, 2025 | 1:26pm
After meeting behind closed doors yesterday, the ICI and the other agencies came up with a framework for inter-agency coordination, information sharing and legal procedures as they began the process of forfeiting assets of officials and contractors linked to the flood control scam.
STAR / Miguel De Guzman
MANILA, Philippines — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure will submit its third report to the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday, November 4, flagging possible violations in a P72.3-million flood control project in Bulacan that was reportedly paid in full despite not being built at its intended site.
According to an ICI media briefer shared on Tuesday, the project in question was implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineering Office through contractor Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
Based on project documents, the contractor was supposed to build a riverbank protection structure along Barangay Bagong Silang, Plaridel. However, a report later endorsed by the Commission on Audit (COA) found that no structure was built at the location stated in the approved bid plans. Instead, it was allegedly relocated to a different site without proper authorization or sufficient documentation to justify the change.
According to the ICI, COA’s technical inspection and available records “clearly establish that the project was never constructed at the designated location,” even as the DPWH had already released and fully paid the P72.3-million contract cost to the contractor (Topnotch.)
Several DPWH officials appeared to have been negligent in ensuring that the project was properly implemented and that public funds were lawfully spent, according to the ICI.
"Their acts and omissions indicate a failure to exercise the required diligence and oversight expected of public officers entrusted with the administration of public funds, thereby resulting in evident injury to the government," the ICI said.
The commission said it will ask the Ombudsman to determine whether charges of graft, malversation, and falsification may be filed against former DPWH engineers Henry Alcantara and Brice Ericson Hernandez, as well as Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc. president Eumir Villanueva.
Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and Maria Catalina Cabral should also be reviewed for possible ethical violations under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, according to the ICI.
As of today, however, these findings "remain preliminary," the ICI said.
"The Commission emphasizes that it does not make categorical findings of guilt, and that responsibility for determining liability rests with the proper authorities," the ICI said.
"This Interim Report is intended to assist in ensuring accountability in infrastructure projects and in protecting the integrity of public funds," it added.
Report #3. This is the third report the ICI has submitted to the Ombudsman since its creation in September.
The first report, submitted on September 29, flagged a P289.5-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. It recommended possible charges of graft, malversation, and falsification against former lawmaker Zaldy Co and 13 DPWH officials.
The second report, submitted on October 29, recommended charges against Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada and other officials for alleged involvement in kick-back schemes tied to various flood control projects.
Topnotch was one of eight firms subpoenaed by the Senate blue ribbon committee in August for failing to attend its flood control hearing.
