Vowing a relentless crackdown on the flood control scam, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced plans to file 14 to 15 more cases linked to the corruption scandal before yearend. He made the statement in an interview after the Senate budget hearing on Friday. Many flood control cases remain under preliminary investigation, with several nearing completion.
In an interview after the Senate budget hearing on Friday, Remulla said many flood control cases remain under preliminary investigation, with several nearing completion. “There will be more charges filed… There are at least about 15 cases right now,” he said, adding that they could be filed before year-end.
Remulla declined to give a timeline on possible charges against former House speaker Martin Romualdez, saying the Office of the Ombudsman would first evaluate the joint referral report submitted Friday by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
“Everything should be evidence-based. We don’t want to file weak cases. The cases have to be properly vetted and prepared,” he said.
The DPWH–ICI report recommends filing plunder, graft, and direct bribery charges against Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol party-list congressman Zaldy Co in connection with the alleged flood control scam. Remulla said he has yet to see the report.
Last week, the Ombudsman’s special prosecution panel filed the first batch of cases involving the non-bailable complex crime of malversation through falsification and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Charged were Co, 12 DPWH Region IV-B officials, and five executives of Sunwest Inc., a construction firm reportedly co-founded by Co. The Sandiganbayan has issued arrest warrants and hold departure orders against all 18 accused.