THE Independent Commission on Infrastructure has asked the Department of Justice to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order (Ilbo) against former Senate President Francis Escudero, former Speaker Martin Romualdez and several other present and former public officials linked to the anomalous flood control projects.
An Ilbo is an order issued by the DOJ directing immigration officers to closely monitor and report the travel of ertain individuals.
Aside from Escudero and Romualdez, other officials subject of the request for ILBO are incumbent senators Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Estrada and Emmanuel ‘Joel’ Villanueva.
Former senators. Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. and Maria Lourdes Binay Angeles (now Makati mayor).
The ICI is also seeking Ilbo against several members of the House of Representatives namely Roman Romulo, James ‘Jojo’ Ang , Patrick Michael ‘PM’ Vargas, Juan Carlos ‘Arjo’ Atayde, Nicanor ‘Nikki’ Briones, Marcelino ‘Marcy’ Teodoro, Florida ‘Rida’ Robes, Eleandro Jesus Madrona, Benjamin ‘Benjie’ Agarao, Leody ‘Ode’ Tarriela, Reynante ‘Reynan’ Arogancia, Teodorico ‘Teodoro’ Haresco, Jr., Antonieta Eudela, Dean Asistio, Marivic Co-Pilar; former congresmen Florencio Gabriel ‘Bem’ Noel and Marvin Rillo.
The request also include government officials identified as Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario G. Lipana, his contractor-wife Marilou Laurio-Lipana, Education Undersecrerary Trygve L. Olaivar, campaign distributor of Escudero Maynard Ngu, Department of Public Works and Highways district engineers Loida Busa, Ramon Devanadera, Johnny Protesta Jr. and Arturo Gonzales Jr.; Rillo’s aide ‘Bogs’ Magalong and Carlene Villa.
Bureau of Immigration spokesman Dana Sandoval said the DOJ has approved the request of the ICI for the issuance of an ILBO against Escudero, Romualdez and 31 others.
‘We confirm receipt of the ILBO issued by the Department of Justice against 33 individuals today, October 8. Their names have been immediately included in our centralized database and their travels will be strictly monitored,’ Sandoval said.
No public hearings
THE ICI will continue its closed-door proceedings despite calls from the Iglesia ni Cristo and several other individuals ang groups to open its proceedings to the public, ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka said.
‘Well right now, the policy stays. But as long as we keep on informing the public as much as possible with regard to information that would not trample upon the individual rights to others, then no, nothing will change,’ Hosaka said.
‘As I’ve always said before.when our resource persons accuse others, those accusations have to be verified in some way. It’s difficult if we simply listn to someone’s statement, especially without even checking their background or character. So we also look into that,’ he added.
The Iglesia ni Cristo, through its Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, earlier called on the ICI to be transparent with its proceedings as the group is closely monitoring the issue on flood control projects.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan is also asking the ICI to reconsider its position not to livestream its proceedings.
Summons
THE ICI has finally summoned former former Speaker Martin Romualdez and several other individuals to testify about insertions in the national budget and the multi-billion anomalous flood control projects.
Romualdez, a first cousin of PresidentMarcos Jr., is among the lawmakers and government officials who are being linked to anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects.
The former Speaker had denied both allegations, claiming that he never stole public funds or received bribes.
The summon, dated October 8, was sent by the ICC to Romualdez’s office at the House of Representatives.
It requested Romualdez to appear before the commission on October 14, 2025 at 10 a.m at its headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
The ICI said Romualdez will be asked ‘to discuss and confer with the panel under oath regarding his familiarity and personal knowledge as Speaker of the House relative to the National Budget insertions and as well as the DPWH flood control projects.’
The ICI also sent an invitation to Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to discuss with the panel the procedure of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and Implementation of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) including the procedures for release of the unprogrammed funds.
‘The primary purpose of the request is to seek authoritative guidance from the DBM on matters about the NEP and the GAA more particularly those line projects which are linked to the ghost projects, substandard or otherwise unfinished implementations of flood control projects including the procedures for the release of the unprogrammed funds, which is a matter under inquiry by the Commission,’ the ICI invitation stated.
Romualdez statement
THE office of Romualdez on Wednesday confirmed receiving an invitation from the ICI, stating that the former speaker is prepared to appear before the commission.
In a brief statement, the lawmaker said he welcomes the opportunity to cooperate with the commission and fully supports its mandate to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance.
The former speaker is expected to appear on Tuesday, at 10 a.m., before the ICI.
‘Representative Romualdez welcomes the opportunity to cooperate with the commission and fully supports its objective of promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance,’ the statement read.
Romualdez also expressed his readiness to appear before the commission in connection with its ongoing inquiries.
‘In this regard, Rep. Romualdez is prepared to appear before the Commission,’ the statement added.
In the case of Party-list Rep. Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co of Ako Bicol, who previously served as chairman of the Appropriations committee, the ICC issued a subpoena requiring him to appear before the commission and to bring various documents in relation to flood control projects undertaken by companies where he or his family have beneficial interest.
The documents include contracts, records, and reports for all government projects, project proposals, and master plans related to flood control. Accounting forms and documents such as vouchers, invoices, and official receipts relevant to those contracts.
Incorporation and registration documents, including articles of incorporation, latest General Information Sheets, financial statements, and Income Tax Returns.
Co managed to leave the country for alleged medical treatment in the United States before the massive corruption scandal broke out.
When asked if those persons invited or subpoenaed by the ICI will not cooperate, Hosaka said the commission might seek relief before a court by filing a petition to hold them for indirect contempt.
‘The powers or authority of the ICI is to issue subpoena with regard to contempt powers then we have to go to, to follow a proper procedure which is going to the courts and probably fil a petition for indirect contempt,’ Hosaka said.