The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has requested the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against 33 individuals – including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate President Chiz Escudero – in connection with its ongoing probe into anomalous flood control projects.
Also named were former senator Bong Revilla; Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva; and 28 others, including 15 incumbent congressmen; local officials, and government personnel.
ICI’s ILBO request includes Mayor Nancy Binay and her staff, Carlene Yap; Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana and his wife, Marilou Laurio-Lipana; Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar; and the country’s special envoy to China for trade and businessman Maynard Ngu.
The list of incumbent House members includes Roman Romulo of Pasig, Jojo Ang of Uswag Ilonggo Party-list, PM Vargas of Quezon City 5th District, Arjo Atayde of Quezon City’s 1st district, Nikki Briones of AGAP Party-list, Marcy Teodoro of Marikina’s 1st district, Rida Robes of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, Eleandro Jesus Madrona of Romblon, Benjie Agarao of Laguna’s 4th district, Odie Tarriela of Occidental Mindoro, Reynan Arrogancia of Quezon’e 3rd district, Antonieta Eudela of Zamboanga Sibugay’s 2nd district, Dean Asistio of Caloocan’s 3rd district and Marivic Co-Pilar of Quezon City’s 6th district.
Former congressmen Bem Noel of An Waray Party-list, Marvin Rillo of Quezon City’s 4th district, and Teodorico Haresco of Aklan’s 2nd district were also listed, along with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) District Engineers Loida Busa of Quezon City’s 2nd district, Ramon Devanadera of Cebu City, Johnny Protesta Jr. of Quezon City’s 2nd district, Arturo Gonzales Jr. of Quezon City and Rillo’s aide Bogs Magalong.
Retired Supreme Court (SC) Justice Andres Reyes Jr., ICI chairman, submitted the request to DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday, Oct. 8, citing the urgency of preventing potential flight risks.
Reyes said the individuals are “inevitable personalities” in the in the fact-finding process and that the ILBO is essential to ensure accountability and avoid delays.
“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,” he added.
Reyes also requested for the Bureau of Immigration (BI), which is under DOJ, to immediately inform the body as well as other law enforcement agencies “of any information regarding the impending travel of the subjects”. (Joseph Pedrajas)
