Jinggoy, Ex-DPWH Chief Face Plunder Heat in Flood Control Scandal

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and former public works officials are now facing fresh legal heat after the Department of Justice recommended plunder, graft and bribery-related charges over the government flood control scandal.

According to The Philippine Star, the Office of the Ombudsman said the DOJ recommended charges against Estrada, former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan, Bong Dinglasan, DPWH North Manila assistant district engineer Denryl Caesar Cortuna, Arturo Gonzales Jr. and unnamed others.

The recommended complaints include plunder, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, direct bribery, receiving gifts of public officers and corruption of public officials. The recommendation came from a DOJ resolution tied to a preliminary investigation initiated by an NBI-DOJ Public Works and Bid-Rigging Task Force complaint.

The DOJ also recommended dropping similar charges against late former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, who died in December 2025. Former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, DPWH Metro Manila regional director Gerard Opulencia and DPWH Bulacan First District engineer Henry Alcantara were recommended for exclusion after being admitted to the witness protection program.

The case is a high-stakes turn in the flood control mess because it links a sitting senator and former DPWH officials to possible plunder-level liability. Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos also reminded public leaders who betray people’s trust that they will ultimately face justice before God. Source: The Philippine Star