Pasay city: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued subpoenas to several individuals implicated in five alleged fraudulent flood control projects in Bulacan. In a message to reporters, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez confirmed that the subpoenas were served last week, with the initial hearing for the preliminary investigation set for November 10 at 1 p.m.

According to Philippines News Agency, acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida expressed optimism that both the preliminary investigation and the filing of charges in court for these cases would be completed by the end of the year. Vida emphasized the importance of adhering to legal procedures, stating, “My appeal is that we follow the process. Hindi tayo pwede mag-short cut (We cannot make short cuts). We cannot play God on this. We need to follow the rule of law.”

Previously, documents submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman by the DOJ suggested prosecuting former District Engineering Office of Bulacan 1 officials, including Henry Alcantara, Brice Ericson Hernandez, Arjay Domasig, Jaypee Mendoza, Nino Lawrence Morales, Juanito Mendoza, Floralyn Simbulan, and Christina Mae Pineda, along with Syms Construction representative Sally Santos. They are facing charges of malversation, falsification by public officers, perjury, and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, however, returned the cases to the DOJ to conduct the preliminary investigation.