DOJ vows unrelenting effort to recover flood-control funds

September 17, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday vowed to remain unrelenting in its efforts to recover public funds allegedly lost in the flood-control projects controversy.

Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said the department would continue pursuing the recovery of the people’s money from witnesses admitted to the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).

“What we can assure the public is that the Department is unrelenting in recovering the people’s money,” Dato said during a press conference.

He said witnesses admitted to the program have committed to returning funds to the government as part of their cooperation.

DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez clarified, however, that restitution is not a requirement for admission to the WPP.

“The restitution provided by these witnesses is something that they voluntarily provided or committed to based on the memorandum of agreement that they have with the WPP,” Martinez said.

The DOJ earlier reported that more than P841 million had already been remitted to the government by four individuals, including former senior Department of Public Works and Highways officials and a private contractor cooperating with the investigation.

The department expects additional recoveries as its investigation into the alleged irregularities in flood-control projects continues.#