Asset Freeze Ordered Against Estrada, Villanueva, Co, Cajayon-Uy, and Bernardo; Calls Grow to Include Romualdez
Philippine Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has issued freeze orders on the assets of several high-profile figures implicated in the country’s ongoing flood control scandal. Those covered include Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, former Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy, retired DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, and sacked DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara.
Freeze Orders Confirmed
“I believe the freeze orders have been issued already by the AMLC,” Remulla said in an interview with local media. He did not elaborate on the full scope of the assets covered.
Notably absent from his statement was any reference to former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the president’s cousin, who has also been repeatedly mentioned in congressional hearings and ongoing investigations.
Expanding Scandal
The asset freeze comes as the corruption scandal tied to flood control projects continues to deepen. Senate hearings and Ombudsman probes have brought forward testimonies alleging widespread misuse of government funds. Witnesses, including contractors Curlee and Claribel Discaya and dismissed engineer Brice Hernandez, described how government projects were rigged to allow massive kickbacks, ghost projects, and inflated budgets.
The testimonies link powerful lawmakers and officials to budget insertions in the General Appropriations Act (GAA), which reportedly diverted up to 30% of project funds from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Allegations Against Key Officials
Rep. Zaldy Co, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, has faced mounting scrutiny, with critics demanding accountability for his role in the allocation of funds. Meanwhile, calls have intensified for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to act decisively and support a freeze of Romualdez’s assets, amid allegations of his ties to contractors and budget schemes.
Luxury assets linked to the scandal have drawn widespread attention. Reports point to private jets and helicopters allegedly owned by Romualdez and Co, valued in the tens of millions of dollars. Their ownership has further inflamed public anger, particularly as communities suffer recurring floods during the country’s peak typhoon seasons.
Political Pressure on Marcos Jr.
As the scandal grows, President Marcos Jr. has been placed in a politically sensitive position. Critics argue that his administration’s credibility is undermined by his family connection to Romualdez. They also warn that the scandal echoes the “pork barrel” controversies of past administrations, where billions were lost to alleged plunder.
Advocates and opposition lawmakers insist that only by including Romualdez’s assets in the freeze orders can the government demonstrate its commitment to accountability and transparency.
Climate Vulnerability and Public Outrage
The timing of the scandal has intensified public frustration. With deadly typhoons striking the country and communities increasingly vulnerable to climate risks, revelations of billions allegedly siphoned away from flood mitigation projects have sparked protests and outrage. Many Filipinos view the corruption not only as theft of public funds but also as a direct threat to lives and livelihoods.
Ongoing Investigations
The Ombudsman and the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee are continuing their investigations into the scandal, with more testimonies expected. Whether the freeze orders will expand to include Romualdez remains unclear. For now, the scandal highlights the intersection of corruption, politics, and climate vulnerability in the Philippines — and the growing demand for accountability at the highest levels of power.