By I. Inojales |06:28 PM October 8, 2025
TAGBILARAN CITY — Two Boholanos have been included in the list of individuals the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to place under an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) amid its probe into alleged irregularities in flood control projects nationwide.
The ICI identified Department of Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar and Carlene Yap-Villa, both natives of Bohol, among dozens of government officials and private individuals who may be summoned for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.
Olaivar is the husband of Candijay Mayor Thamar Olaivar, while Yap-Villa is the wife of Siquijor Gov. Jake Vincent Villa.
An ILBO directs immigration officers to monitor the travel activities of those under investigation to ensure their availability during the fact-finding process.
“The timely issuance of an ILBO is of utmost necessity to enable the commission to proceed without delay and to hold those liable accountable to the Filipino people,” the ICI said in its letter to the DOJ.
The request also includes prominent national figures such as former Senate President Francis Escudero, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, former senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay, several members of Congress, Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana, and multiple officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
ICI said those named are “in a relevant position that operates to make (them) an inevitable personality during the fact-finding process.”
Once approved, the Bureau of Immigration will be tasked to inform the ICI and law enforcement agencies of any attempt by these individuals to leave the country.
Meanwhile, Senator Jinggoy Estrada dismissed as “baseless” the inclusion of his name in the list, insisting that he has no reason to flee.
“If I faced my previous plunder cases and did not run away, why would I run now when there isn’t even a shred of evidence against me?” Estrada said in a message to Senate reporters, calling the accusations “double hearsay.”
He added that he remains under a hold departure order from the Sandiganbayan and continues to secure permission for every foreign trip.
The ICI has yet to release further details on the extent of the alleged anomalies in the flood control projects, but it said it is coordinating with the Commission on Audit and the DPWH for supporting documents.
