By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) on Wednesday requested the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue immigration lookout bulletin orders (ILBO) against personalities implicated in the ongoing investigation into anomalies in flood control projects.
An ILBO instructs immigration officers to closely monitor the travel of subject individuals.
On the list are incumbent and former members of Congress, private individuals, and officials of other government agencies.
Named in the request were former Senate president Francis Escudero, former House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, and former senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay.
Also on the list were Representatives Roman Romulo, James “Jojo” Ang, Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde, Nicanor “Nikki” Briones, Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro, Florida “Rida” Robes, Eleandro Madrona, Benjamin Agarao, Leody Tarriela, Reynante Arrogancia, Teodorico Haresco Jr., Antonieta Eudela, Dean Asistio, and Marivic Co Pilar, as well as former representatives Marvin Rillo and Florencio Noel.
Also included are Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana, his wife Marilou Laurio-Lipana, Department of Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, and Department of Public Works and Highways District Engineers Loida “Bogs” Magalong, Ramon Devanadera, Johnny Protesta Jr., and Arturo Gonzales Jr., as well as private individuals Carlene Villa and businessman Maynard Ngu.
The ICI said the individuals are “in a relevant position that operates to make (them) an inevitable personality during the fact-finding process.”
“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.”
It asked the Bureau of Immigration to “inform the ICI and other law enforcement agencies of any information regarding the impending travel of the subjects.”
Estrada: No reason to flee
Estrada, meanwhile, dismissed as baseless the ICI’s request for an ILBO against him and other officials allegedly linked to flood control project anomalies.
In a Viber message to Senate reporters, he said he has nothing to fear as he has always faced accusations against him squarely.
“Eh kung yung unang mga kaso ko na plunder, hinarap ko at hindi ako tumakas, ngayon pa ba na wala ni katiting na ebidensya laban sa akin (If I faced my previous plunder cases and did not run away, why would I run now when there isn’t even a shred of evidence against me),” he said.
He brushed off the allegations as “double hearsay,” saying he continues to comply with existing court restrictions.
“May HDO pa rin naman ako eh (I still have a hold departure order). Tuwing aalis ako ng bansa, nagpapaalam pa rin ako sa Sandiganbayan (Whenever I travel abroad, I still secure permission from the Sandiganbayan),” he added. (With a report from Wilnard Bacelonia/PNA)
