AMLC to freeze 592 bank accounts linked to anomalous flood control projects
The Anti-Money Laundering Council will freeze the assets of individuals amid a probe into anomalous flood control projects.
In its statement, the agency said that they have secured a Freeze Order from the Court of Appeals on Sept. 19, which will cover bank accounts, three insurance policies, 73 motor vehicles, and 18 real properties owned by individuals and contractors allegedly involved with the anomalous flood control projects.
“The sheer magnitude of assets involved reflects the alarming scope of corruption tied to these flood control projects," AMLC Executive Director Atty. Matthew M. David said in the statement. “This freeze order marks another step toward the filing of appropriate civil and criminal cases against those found to have laundered illicit proceeds.”
The AMLC said that the order is part of its mandate to "trace, preserve, and recover assets derived from unlawful activities." It added that it will continue to coordinate with concerned government agencies in the investigation of the frozen accounts, as well as uncovering other assets that may be subject to future legal action.
"This latest development follows earlier enforcement actions and signals the AMLC's sustained efforts to strengthen the country's anti-money laundering framework and ensure accountability in public infrastructure spending," it concluded in the post.
This came after Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon requested the AMLC to issue freeze orders on the bank accounts of the linked individuals, including Sarah and Curlee Discaya, and dismissed DPWH officials Brice Hernandez and Henry Alcantara.
Flood control mess
As the rains triggered massive flooding in the metro in July, economist JC Punongbayan questioned why flooding persists despite having billions of pesos in flood control allocations over the years.
Sen. Ping Lacson told dzBB that since 2011, about P1 trillion allocated for flood control projects may have been lost to corruption.
Marcos, in his fourth State of the Nation Address, then called out government officials involved in the would-be corruption in flood control projects.
He ordered the DPWH to "immediately submit" to him the list of flood control projects from every region that were started and completed in the last three years. He said a project monitoring committee will evaluate this list to determine the failures, as well as the unfinished and ghost projects.
Marcos launched the Sumbong sa Pangulo website, where the public can track and report anomalous flood control projects and other possible corrupt practices. According to the website, there are 9,855 flood control projects totalling P545.64 billion since July 2022. Of that number, 6,021 projects worth over P350 billion don't specify the exact type of flood control being built, while several others in different locations also have the same contract cost.
Marcos also said there are 15 contractors that exclusively bagged 20% of all flood control projects worth P100 billion in the last three years.
In his podcast that aired on Sept. 8, Marcos said the DPWH will have zero flood control budget for 2026.
On Sept. 11, Marcos signed an executive order creating the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which has the mandate to "hear, investigate, receive, gather, and evaluate evidence, intelligence reports and information, against all government officials and employees, and any other individual, involved in anomalies, irregularities, and misuse of funds in the planning, financing, and implementation of government flood control and other infrastructure projects nationwide."
Last Sept. 15, Marcos said Romualdez and his allies in Congress "will not be spared" from the ICI's probe.
