ICI wants immigration offers to be on the lookout for Romualdez, Escudero, Estrada, Villanueva, 29 others over flood control scam

(UPDATED) The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has requested immigration officers to be on the lookout for more than 30 public officials and private individuals, including former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez Sr., former Senate President Chiz Escudero, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senator Joel Villanueva, and former Senator Bong Revilla Jr., should they try to leave the country.

In a letter dated October 8, Wednesday, ICI chairman and retired Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) in connection with the commission’s ongoing investigation into billions worth of alleged ghost and substandard flood control projects.

The ICI, in its request for an ILBO, asked the DOJ to direct the Bureau of Immigration to alert the commission and other law enforcement agencies of any travel attempts by the listed individuals.

The commission’s request named several lawmakers, local officials, and engineers allegedly involved or linked to irregularities in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects. Among them are Makati Mayor Maria Lourdes Binay Angeles, DPWH Commissioner Mario G. Lipana, and several district engineers including Loida Busua, Ramon Devanadera, Johnny Protesta Jr., and Arturo Gonzales Jr.

Also listed were congressmen and former legislators, including Roman Romulo, Patrick Michael Vargas, Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde, Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro, Florida “Rida” Robes, Eleandro Jesus Madrona, and former representatives Florencio “Bem” Noel, Marvin Rillo, and Teodorico “Teodoro” Haresco Jr., among others.

The letter further identified several private individuals allegedly linked to the questioned projects, including Marilou Laurio-Lipana, Carlene Villa, and businessman Maynard Ngu.

The ICI said the move was necessary to prevent key individuals from leaving the country while the probe is underway.

Justice Reyes said an initial investigation conducted with DPWH and “relevant coordinating agencies” found indications of “ghost projects and/or substandard implementations of flood control projects,” which warranted the issuance of lookout notices.

He noted that the measure was “of utmost necessity” to hold accountable those liable to the Filipino people and ensure the fact-finding process proceeds without delay.

Here is the full list of individuals included in the ICI’s request for an issuance of ILBO:

1. Congressman Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Sr.
2. Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero
3. Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Ejercito Estrada
4. Senator Emmanuel “Joel” Villanueva
5. Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
6. Mayor Maria Lourdes Binay Angeles
7. Commissioner Mario G. Lipana
8. Marilou Laurio-Lipana
9. Undersecretary Trygve L. Olaiavar
10. Carlene Villa
11. Maynard Ngu
12. Cong. Roman Romulo
13. Cong. James “Jojo” Ang
14. Cong. Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas
15. Congr. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde
16. Cong. Nicanor “Nicki” Briones
17. Cong. Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro
18. Cong. Florida “Rida” Robes
19. Congr. Eleandro Jesus Madrona
20. Cong. Benjamin “Benjie” Agarao
21. Former Cong. Florencio Gabriel “Bem” Noel
22. Cong. Leody “Ode” Tarriela
23. Cong. Reynante “Reynan” Arrogancia
24. Former Cong. Marvin Rillo
25. Cong. Teodorico “Teodoro” Haresco, Jr.
26. Cong. Antonieta Eudela
27. Cong. Dean Asistio
28. Cong. Marivic Co-Pilar
29. District Engr. Loida Busua
30. “Bogs” Magalong
31. District Engr. Ramon Devanadera
32. District Engr. Johnny Protesta, Jr.
33. District Engr. Arturo Gonzales Jr.