The Court of Appeals (CA) has ordered the freezing of 135 bank accounts and 27 insurance policies tied to at least 26 Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and contractors implicated in anomalous flood control projects.
In a press briefing, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Atty. Matthew David, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas legal counsel Atty. Roberto Figueroa said the covered accounts belong to the so-called “Bulacan Group of Contractors” (BGC boys) and other DPWH contractors, including Sarah Discaya.
The AMLC secured the freeze order under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), citing possible laundering of public funds meant for flood control projects. The total amounts remain undetermined but are expected to be established within 24 hours.
In a Sept. 12 letter to David, Dizon sought AMLC’s assistance to establish probable cause that certain monetary instruments or properties were tied to unlawful activities.
“As an ancillary remedy, and pursuant to Section 10 of Republic Act No. 9160, otherwise known as the Anti-Money Laundering Act, we formally request the preparation and filing of an ex-parte petition to freeze the bank accounts—including related and materially linked accounts—of DPWH officials and private contractors,” Dizon wrote.
The individuals named include former and current DPWH personnel and private contractors:
Henry C. Alcantara; Brice Ericson D. Hernandez; Jaypee D. Mendoza; John Michael E. Ramos; Ernesto C. Galang; Lorenzo A. Pagtalunan; Norberto L. Santos; Jaime R. Hernandez; Floralyn Y. Simbulan; Juanito C. Mendoza; Roberto A. Roque; Benedict J. Matawaran; Christina Mae D. Pineda; Paul Jayson F. Duya; Merg Jaron C. Laus; Lemuel Ephraim C. Roque; Arjay S. Domasig; John Carlo C. Rivera; John Benex S. Francisco; Jolo Mari V. Tayao; Ma. Roma Angeline D. Rimando; Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya; Pacifico Discaya II; Mark Allan V. Arevalo; Sally N. Santos; and Robert T. Imperio.
Dizon emphasized that a freeze order is “an extraordinary and interim legal remedy” to prevent the dissipation or disposal of properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
“This preemptive action is crucial to preserve assets and ensure government efforts to combat corruption and money laundering are not thwarted,” he said.
