The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Tuesday convened multiple government agencies in a closed-door meeting to coordinate efforts on recovering assets illegally acquired through anomalous flood control projects.
ICI Chairman Andres Reyes Jr. said that while prosecuting those involved is vital, returning stolen public funds is equally necessary for the nation to recover.
“All those persons responsible for this may be prosecuted and jailed, but to completely heal our nation, justice is not enough. We need restitution,” Reyes said before the meeting began.
“These assets were purchased using public funds; they belong to the Filipino people. Money that could have been spent on building schools, hospitals, and road projects was instead burned wantonly on useless luxuries and vices,” he added.
Eighteen agencies participated in the session, forming a technical working group on restitution that will meet weekly, according to ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka.
Among the officials present were Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center head Renato Paraiso, and Office of the Solicitor General representative Darlene Berberabe.
Other agencies represented included the Department of Justice, Commission on Audit, Civil Service Commission, Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Bureau of Internal Revenue, Insurance Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, Philippine Competition Commission, Land Registration Authority, Land Transportation Office, Maritime Industry Authority, Civil Aviation Authority, National Bureau of Investigation, and Presidential Commission on Good Government.
Hosaka revealed that the AMLC is tracking ₱5 billion worth of assets across over 2,800 accounts, though the total could rise as investigations progress.
“Of course, what we’ve been hearing so far is that ₱5 billion is not comparable to what we’ve heard so far,” he said. “Probably, as we go along, it’s going to be bigger.”
As of the latest AMLC report, ₱4.67 billion in assets have been frozen, including 1,671 bank accounts, 163 vehicles, 99 real properties, 58 insurance policies, and 12 e-wallet accounts.
The BOC plans to auction off 13 luxury cars seized from contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya due to incomplete documentation, while the ICI is still verifying paperwork for two vehicles voluntarily surrendered by dismissed Bulacan assistant engineer Brice Hernandez.
Hosaka clarified that asset forfeiture may proceed independently of criminal prosecution, explaining that restitution under Article 104 of the Revised Penal Code can be pursued through civil or administrative means.
“These are administrative and civil remedies; it will not go through the more thorough process of judicial proceedings,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rep. Edgar Erice called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to convene a special session of Congress to pass a law granting the ICI full investigative powers, following the Discayas’ refusal to cooperate with the probe.
“Without a law, the commission is powerless and could become inutile. This refusal to cooperate will encourage others to do the same, undermining the credibility of the investigation and delaying justice in what may be the biggest public fund heist in Philippine history,” Erice said.
In a related development, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said the ICI will also look into the delayed operation of the Tanza Super Health Center in Antipolo City despite its completion last year.
“This was funded in 2022, constructed in 2023, completed in 2024 and turned over to them last year,” Herbosa said. “It was transferred to them in September (2024) but operational just today. That is still long (time) for me.”
