Overview: ICI Pushes for Immigration Lookout Orders in Flood Control Probe
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has petitioned the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue immigration lookout bulletin orders (ILBO) for a high-profile list of public figures and officials connected to its ongoing investigation into controversial flood control projects.
In a formal letter to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, ICI Chairman Andres Reyes Jr. argued that the 32 individuals identified in the commission’s preliminary findings are “inevitable” players in the fact-finding process. The request aims to prevent potential travel that could hinder the investigation or allow witnesses to evade accountability.
“The timely issuance of ILBO is of utmost necessity to enable the commission to proceed without delay and to hold those liable accountable to the Filipino people,” Reyes wrote. He also asked the Bureau of Immigration, which operates under the DOJ, to notify the ICI and other law enforcement agencies of any impending travel by the subjects.
Who’s on the List?
Among the notable names flagged for an ILBO are former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Senate President Francis Escudero, and former senator Bong Revilla, along with Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Also included are Makati Mayor Nancy Binay and her staff member Carlene Yap, and Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana with his wife Marilou Laurio-Lipana. Other prominent figures on the list include Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar and Maynard Ngu, the country’s special envoy to China for trade and a businessman.
Incumbent lawmakers and other officials also appear on the ILBO roster, ranging from Rep. Roman Romulo (Pasig) to party-list and district representatives across several provinces. Former representatives Bem Noel (An Waray Party-list), Marvin Rillo (Quezon City), and Teodorico Haresco (Aklan) were also named.
Several DPWH officials have been named in connection with flood control projects as well, including district engineers Loida Busa, Ramon Devanadera, Johnny Protesta Jr., Arturo Gonzales Jr., and Rillo’s aide Bogs Magalong. The scope of the ILBO list underscores the breadth of the probe into multi-billion-peso flood control contracts tied to alleged irregularities.
Testimony, Subpoenas, and Open Hearings
The ICI ordered Romualdez to appear and confer under oath about his personal knowledge of budget insertions and related DPWH flood control projects during his tenure as speaker. Romualdez has denied involvement in bribery related to the probe and was asked to bring supporting documents to corroborate his statements.
A subpoena was also issued for former Ako Bicol party-list representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, who has been abroad since September. Co, who resigned from Congress amid the expanding scandal, was directed to present a comprehensive list of corporate and financial records from entities where he or his family holds interests. The documents requested include contracts, project proposals, master plans, vouchers, invoices, official receipts, incorporation documents, financial statements, and tax returns tied to flood control contracts.
Media and public access to the proceedings emerged as a flashpoint in the debate over transparency. Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio joined calls for public hearings, arguing that open sessions would bolster public trust and accountability. He contends that the ICI’s credibility hinges on transparency, noting that even other high-profile investigations in government are accessible to the public or media in various formats.
Calls for Transparency and Public Accountability
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) joined the discourse, urging the ICI and the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to conduct their investigations transparently and free from political interference. The CBCP emphasized the importance of public access to the process and the findings, arguing that truth is essential to rebuilding public trust in flood control governance.
Presidential spokespersons and lawmakers have echoed the need for transparency while acknowledging that the ICI retains discretion over whether to publicize proceedings. The administration has signaled support for openness, reinforcing that transparency should guide all investigations into government projects.
Implications for Governance and Public Trust
The flood control probe sits at the intersection of infrastructure policy, governance, and public accountability. With ILBOs now requested for a broad slate of officials, the ICI aims to safeguard the integrity of its investigation and prevent potential evasion or disruption of legal processes. As hearings unfold and more documents surface, observers will be watching to see how the ICI balances thorough oversight with the rights of those named in the probe.
