00:00While ex-Senator Ramon Bong-Revilla Jr. has been recommended for criminal RAP filing to the Office of the Ombudsman,
00:07four other former and sitting Senators have been sought for case build-up
00:11after being tagged by former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo,
00:16which our Rod Lagusad covers in this report.
00:21A new referral from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, or ICI,
00:25was submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman today.
00:27According to ICI Chairperson Andres Reyes,
00:30they are recommending the filing of cases against former Senator Bong-Revilla Jr., Maynard Gu, and nine other individuals.
00:37He said the possible charges include direct or indirect bribery, corruption of public officials, plunder, and administrative sanctions.
00:44According to Revilla's spokesperson, he has not received any subpoena or copy of a complaint.
00:49He was also not given the opportunity to explain or defend himself.
00:52She added that Revilla had earlier said he is ready for the investigation being conducted by the ICI
00:57and that the senator believes that the truth will come out.
01:00New evidence was also submitted, in addition to the earlier referrals,
01:04which may result in filing of more cases.
01:06For former DPWH Sekretary Manuel Bonoan,
01:09former Undersecretary Catalina Cabral,
01:12former Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo,
01:14former Acubicol Representative Saldico,
01:16COA Commissioner Mario Lipana,
01:18former DPWH Engineers Henry Alcantara,
01:21Bryce Hernandez, and JP Mendoza.
01:23In addition, because of the seriousness of allegations,
01:25the ICI is also recommending further investigation and case buildup
01:29for Senator Cheese Escudero,
01:30former Senator and Namakati Mayor Nancy Binay,
01:33former Senator Grace Poe,
01:34and Senator Mark Villar.
01:35Regarding their recommendations,
01:37Reyes said they gave way to the avidavid
01:39of former Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo
01:41and other testimonies.
01:43Well, uh,
01:45I see sincerity on this one.
01:47As for the current informer centers
01:48who still require further investigation and case buildup,
01:51we need witnesses,
01:53mga driver,
01:55mga katunong,
01:56kusinera,
01:57bank clerk,
01:58secretary,
02:00accountant,
02:00we need more witnesses,
02:02no?
02:03And then,
02:03pangalawa,
02:05we are not washing our hands from these cases.
02:08We are just joining hands with Ombudsman.
02:11In the meantime that they are investigating,
02:13we are also investigating.
02:15So two heads are better than one.
02:17In Poe's statement,
02:18she said recommendation for further investigation
02:21clearly shows that Bernardo's allegations are not true
02:23and have no evidence.
02:25Reyes emphasized that in line with the ICI's recommendations,
02:28justice must strictly upheld,
02:30Rod Lagused from the National TV Network
02:32for a new and better Philippines.
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