AMLC freezes 1,193 bank accounts of contractors, congressman

1 month ago 23

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Keisha Ta-Asan - The Philippine Star

December 20, 2025 | 12:00am

Officials of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and the Department of Justice present to the media the P71 million surrendered to the government by individuals linked to alleged ghost flood control projects.

MANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has widened its financial investigation into the controversial flood control projects, securing a new freeze order covering the bank accounts of major contractors and a member of the House of Representatives allegedly linked to the irregularities.

The Court of Appeals on Thursday ordered the freezing of 1,193 bank accounts believed to be associated with the contractors and the lawmaker, whom a source told The STAR is Rep. Edwin Gardiola of the Construction Workers Solidarity party-list.

The court found sufficient grounds to connect the assets to potential violations of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The latest freeze order brings the total tally of restricted assets tied to the flood control probe to 6,538 bank accounts, 367 insurance policies, 255 motor vehicles, 178 real properties, 16 e-wallet accounts and three securities accounts. The overall value of frozen properties has now reached P20.3 billion.

Zaldy’s assets

With former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co in hiding, the government is targeting the seizure of his assets.

“The legal theory that is going to be applied to Co and others is that there will be civil forfeiture of all their assets,” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday.

Any property found to have been unlawfully acquired by any public officer or employee may be seized under Republic Act 1379.

Co is believed to be hiding in Portugal with which the Philippines has no extradition treaty.

Remulla earlier said Co’s properties, such as his two houses in Forbes Park in Makati and the Midas Hotel and Casino, are owned through his company, Eco Leisure and the Misibis Bay Resort.

Meanwhile, dismissed DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office engineer Henry Alcantara, through his lawyers, yesterday turned over to the Department of Justice (DOJ) an additional P71.37 million, as part of his commitment to restitute the government of a total of P300 million, which he admitted to have illegally amassed from flood control projects.

The amount was turned over in cash to DOJ acting Secretary Fredderick Vida and was witnessed by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure. — Elizabeth Marcelo, Emmanuel Tupas

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