Martin, Chiz, 31 others under BI lookout order ICI summons Romualdez, Co

MANILA, Philippines, October 9 ------ The Department of Justice (DOJ) has placed Sen. Francis Escudero, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and 31 others linked to anomalies in flood control projects under an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO).

The DOJ issued the order hours after it was requested by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which is investigating the corruption issue. “The ILBO for all officials requested by the ICI has been signed by SOJ,” Assistant Secretary and DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said, referring to outgoing Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla.

The order requires the Bureau of Immigration to closely monitor the travel movements of the subject individuals. However, this does not prevent them from leaving the country as only hold-departure orders mandated by a court can do so. The ILBO requires the BI to notify the ICI immediately of any information on the subject individuals’ impending travel.

In a letter to Remulla earlier yesterday, ICI chairman retired justice Andres Reyes Jr. also requested for ILBOs on Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, former senator Ramon Revilla Jr., Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay-Angeles, audit commissioner Mario Lipana and his wife, construction firm executive Marilou Laurio-Lipana, and Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar.

The ICI has also requested the DOJ to issue ILBOs on Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. James Ang, Quezon City Reps. Patrick Michael Vargas, Marvin Rillo, Marivic Co-Pilar and Juan Carlos Atayde; Agap party-list Rep. Nicanor Briones, Marikina City Rep. Marcelino Teodoro, Bulacan Rep. Florida Robes, Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona, Laguna Rep. Benjamin Agarao, former An Waray Party-List congressman Florencio Gabriel Noel, Mindoro Rep. Leody Tarriela, Quezon Rep. Reynante Arogancia, Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr., former Zamboanga Sibugay congresswoman Antonieta Eudela and Caloocan City Rep. Dean Asistio.

The ICI is also seeking ILBOs on public works district engineers Loida Busa, Ramon Devanadera and Johnny Protesta Jr., as well as on Carlene Villa, Cosmic Technologies CEO and alleged Escudero bagman Maynard Ngu and a certain “Bogs” Magalong. “An initial investigation, with the cooperation of relevant coordinating agencies, on DPWH officials and key officers of certain construction companies allegedly involved in ghost projects and/or substandard implementations of flood control projects, which is a matter under inquiry by the Commission, puts the subjects in a relevant position that operates to make him an inevitable personality during the fact-finding process,” Reyes said in his letter to the DOJ.

“The timely issuance of an ILBO is of utmost necessity to enable the Commission to proceed without delay and to hold those liable accountable to the Filipino people,” he stressed. “In addition to the issuance of the ILBO, may we further request that the Bureau of Immigration be instructed to immediately inform the Commission and other law enforcement agencies of any information regarding the impending travel of the subjects,” Reyes added.

Source: philstar.com