The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday said the government has recovered more than P841 million in cash in connection with alleged ghost flood control projects, with the funds already remitted to the National Treasury.
In a statement, the DOJ said a total of P841 million has so far been recovered from individuals linked to the alleged anomalies and deposited through the Land Bank of the Philippines.
“To date, P841 million in cash has been recovered from those involved and remitted to the National Treasury through the Land Bank of the Philippines,” the department said.
The DOJ vowed to continue pursuing those allegedly involved in the anomalous projects and recover additional public funds.
“The work continues. We will recover the people’s money,” the statement read.
The department also thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for expressing confidence in the National Prosecution Service during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
According to the DOJ, the President underscored that recovered public funds belong to the Filipino people and that those responsible for betraying public trust must be held accountable in court.
“The Department of Justice will do its part in close coordination with the Office of the Ombudsman, whose constitutional mandate we respect absolutely. Where the law places a case in our hands, we will build it to the standards that stand in court. That is what the rule of law requires, and what the Filipino people deserve,” the DOJ said.
The department said the recovered amount came from four individuals admitted into the government’s Witness Protection Program.
Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo returned P500 million in several tranches between Jan. 13 and May 29.
Former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara returned P181.4 million, while suspended National Capital Region District Engineer Gerard Opulencia surrendered P140 million.
The remaining P20 million was returned by Sally Santos, owner of SYMS Construction Trading.
The DOJ said efforts to investigate and prosecute those behind the alleged ghost flood control projects remain ongoing.
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