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Sen. Jinggoy Estrada reacts at session break at the Senate on Monday, May 18, 2026 after the lawmakers donned red robes to open the impeachment court on the cases against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Philstar.com / Martin Ramos
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice has recommended the filing of plunder and graft charges against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and several former public works officials over an alleged scheme involving hundreds of millions of pesos in public funds.
The findings place the sitting senator as among the top-ranking personalities at the center of one of the biggest corruption investigations tied to the government's flood control program. Prosecutors allege that officials and private contractors manipulated budget allocations and public bidding to divert public funds.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano confirmed at a press briefing Monday, May 18 that the Office of the Ombudsman has received the DOJ resolution indicating the alleged liability of Estrada and the other respondents.
In a statement, Clavano said:
"The allegations claim that multiple high-ranking public officials and private individuals conspired to maneuver allocations, rig public bidding processes, and siphon government funds stemming from major national infrastructure budget systems, specifically involving the National Expenditure Program, the Bicameral Conference Committee / House General Appropriations Bill, and the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025."
The Ombudsman will conduct an independent review of the DOJ resolution before deciding whether to file cases before the Sandiganbayan.
Also named as respondents were:
- Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan
- The late former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral
- Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo
- Gerard Opulencia, DPWH National Capital Region regional director
- Henry Alcantara
- Bong Dinglasan
- Denryl Caesar Cortuna
- Manny B. Bulusan
- Arturo Gonzales Jr.
- Several John and Jane Does
The DOJ recommended the filing of plunder charges under Republic Act 7080, as well as graft charges under Sections 3(b) and 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
It also recommended charges for direct bribery and receiving gifts by public officers under Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code, and corruption of public officials under Article 212 against complicit private individuals and entities.
The DOJ recommended excluding Bernardo, Opulencia and Alcantara from the filing of criminal information in exchange for their continued testimony, saying their personal knowledge was vital to unraveling the alleged bid-rigging scheme.
It also recommended dropping charges against Cabral following her death on Dec. 19, 2025.
Ombudsman review. The DOJ panel cited legislative records, position descriptions and sworn transcripts from Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings held on Nov. 14, 2025.
The hearings detailed alleged illicit maneuvers and supposed 30% cuts from regional flood control projects, according to the Ombudsman.
