MANILA — In the strongest signal yet that the administration is escalating its crackdown on alleged corruption in flood control projects, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced that over P16 billion worth of transactions linked to a contractor long accused of cornering and leaving public works unfinished have been flagged and frozen by authorities.
In a recorded statement, Marcos confirmed that the Court of Appeals (CA) issued a sweeping freeze order covering the assets, bank accounts, properties, and even aircraft of Silverwolves Construction Corporation, the firm at the center of controversy over stalled Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects in La Union and elsewhere.
“Naglabas na ang Court of Appeals ng freeze order laban sa mga bank accounts, ari-arian, at sasakyang panghimpapawid na may kaugnayan sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects na iniimbestigahan ngayon ng gobyerno,” Marcos said.
The President added that from 2022 to 2025, Silverwolves recorded more than P16 billion in transactions, most of which were tied to DPWH allocations.
“May mahigit P16 bilyon ang pumasok sa mga transaksiyon ng Silverwolves mula 2022 hanggang 2025, na karamihan ay may kaugnayan sa mga flood control projects ng DPWH,” he added.
Freeze order expands to lawmakers linked to the contractor
The freeze order does not stop with the company.
Marcos confirmed that the CA directive also covers the personal bank accounts and properties of Benguet’s Cong. Eric Yap and his brother, ACT-CIS party-list’s Cong. Edvic Yap, after the Ombudsman earlier tagged Eric Yap as the supposed “beneficial owner” of Silverwolves — a claim he has denied, insisting he divested years ago.
The Yap brothers were also linked to alleged suspicious bank transfers from contractor couple Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya.
According to the President, the freeze order includes 280 bank accounts, 22 insurance policies, three securities accounts, eight aircraft, and even the aviation firm Sky Yard Aviation Corporation.
Move aims to prevent escape of public funds
Marcos stressed that immobilizing assets is necessary to protect taxpayers and ensure accountability as the investigation deepens.
“Kailangan natin ang mga freeze order na ito para hindi maibenta ang mga ari arian at para maibalik natin sa ating mga kababayan ang bawat pisong pinaghihinalaang ninakaw,” he said.
He added that Filipinos who repeatedly suffer flooding deserve assurance that public funds meant to protect communities are not siphoned off.
“Para sa mga Pilipinong paulit-ulit binabaha, nawawalan ng bahay at kabuhayan. Hindi na maaaring nakawin ang pondong para sa inyo at basta na lamang tumakas sa hustisya,” Marcos said./PN
