The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recommended the filing of indirect bribery and malversation charges against six individuals including Senator Joel Villanueva, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, former and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co for their alleged involvement in the anomalous flood control projects, Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla said on Tuesday.

"We determined that the NBI would be investigating it and at the outset, they recommended the filing of charges already. So we treated this already as a complaint with the NBI as the endorsing agency," he said during the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing.

Remulla also expressed belief that following the filing of a complaint before the Department of Justice the AMLC issued the freeze orders on the bank account of six incumbent and former government officials.

"The recommendation of NBI for prosecution and probably this is what AMLC is as follows, Mr. (Henry) Alcantara, Sen. Joel Villanueva, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Cong. Elizaldy Co, former (Department of Public Works and Highways) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, former (Caloocan) Congresswoman Mitch Cajayon," he said.

He added that the cases that will be filed against each include the "violation of Section 3 of the Republic Act 3019, Article 211 of the Revised Penal Code, indirect bribery and Article 217 of Revised Penal Code, malversation of public funds."

Earlier, dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Henry Alcantara named the lawmakers and other government officials allegedly involved in kickback schemes in Bulacan. Robina Asido/DMS