Palace urges patience on flood control probe results

Malacañang has asked the public to wait patiently for the results of investigations into the multibillion-peso flood control controversy, stating that investigators are conducting a thorough job. A government official's statement noted that findings have been submitted to the Ombudsman and Department of Justice. This comes after calls for accountability from the Iglesia ni Cristo regarding corruption allegations.

On Friday night, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro issued a statement urging the public to exercise patience while awaiting the outcomes of probes into the multibillion-peso flood control controversy. She explained that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure have already forwarded their findings on the anomalous projects. Recommended cases for filing are now under review by the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice.

Castro's remarks followed a television appearance by Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) spokesman Edwil Zabala on Friday, who reiterated demands for accountability. Zabala claimed that testimonies from 18 former military personnel, presented at a February 24 press conference, could demonstrate a massive cash delivery scheme implicating senior officials. The INC, which backed President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte in the May 2022 elections, has been seeking government action on widespread corruption since organizing a rally for transparency, accountability, justice, and peace last November.

Meanwhile, the Senate Blue Ribbon committee stated it would adhere strictly to evidence in examining the alleged multi-billion-peso cash delivery scheme involving ex-military personnel. Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson remarked, "As chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, I haven’t changed my position about being led by evidence guided only by the prudent and logical way of treating any information that comes to my attention – evaluate and validate the credibility and reliability of both the source as well as the information itself before taking action."

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Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla at a press conference revealing investigation into 30 DPWH flood control scandal cases, with documents and officials in a government setting.
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Ombudsman probes 30 DPWH cases in flood control scandal

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The Office of the Ombudsman has placed around 30 cases involving the Department of Public Works and Highways under preliminary investigation amid allegations of anomalies in flood control projects. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced the development on November 4, 2025, as part of a broader government crackdown. A new task force will also examine projects linked to the Villar family.

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed two sets of cases related to the multibillion-peso flood control scam, but none involve high-ranking officials. This forms part of a thorough investigation under new Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla. The cases stem from projects in Oriental Mindoro and Davao Occidental worth over P386 million.

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to hand over all evidence from their probe into anomalous flood control projects to the Ombudsman. This accompanies the agencies' recommendation to file plunder, graft, and bribery charges against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former congressman Zaldy Co. The Ombudsman's decision will be based on evidence from contracts and testimonies.

Malacañang has urged prompt investigations into alleged anomalies and the freezing of corruption-linked assets, following the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' admission that the country risks returning to the Financial Action Task Force 'gray list' due to corruption issues.

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Amid the investigation into the DPWH flood control projects scandal, concerns arise over potential cycles of corruption where 'big fish' evade accountability. An opinion piece warns that many past scandals ended without jailing high officials. Monitoring the entire process is crucial to ensure justice.

The Sandiganbayan has issued an arrest warrant and hold departure order against former lawmaker Zaldy Co and 17 others over an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered authorities to enforce it immediately with no special treatment. Co, who left the Philippines in August, is willing to return under house arrest or bail due to safety fears.

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Following recent resignations, including Commissioner Rossana Fajardo's effective December 31, the Office of the Ombudsman is ready to take over the Independent Commission for Infrastructure's (ICI) tasks, particularly the flood control scandal probe. This aligns with earlier signals of the ICI winding down.

 

 

 

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