Arrest warrants eyed in December for flood control anomaly suspects

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said arrest warrants for several officials allegedly involved in the flood control project anomaly are expected to be issued by December, before Christmas.

In an interview with Christian Esguerra on Facts First, uploaded Sunday, 16 November, Remulla revealed that Zaldy Co, along with other current and former officials such as Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva, and Chiz Escudero, are among those who could face warrants by 15 or 16 of December.

“There are many of them. That’s more than 30 already, maybe even 40, including officials of the companies,” he said, noting that conflict-of-interest cases could also be filed, not just malversation or graft.

He added that by Monday or Tuesday at the latest, a case will be filed with the Sandiganbayan against Zaldy Co, Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation, the regional district engineer, and other personnel in the district office.

Remulla also said he now finds former Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo’s statements more credible, as minor errors appear to stem from lapses in memory, and he prefers an accurate rendition.

He clarified that while some of his friends are named in the case, he is simply performing his duties as Ombudsman.

Remulla further said he spoke with the Supreme Court, questioning: “Why are we still allowing bail for people who have already been convicted? Shouldn’t we be jailing all of them?”

On Iglesia ni Cristo Rally

While the three-day anti-corruption rally at the Iglesia ni Cristo began on Sunday, 16 November, at the Quirino Grandstand, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla shared his view, noting that while freedom of expression is acceptable, he believes the Philippines is “divided in the middle,” where people can be weaponized for political gain.

“Those Duterte forces… they found an ally in Iglesia ni Cristo. Their real goal here is to bring down the government, that’s what I see,” he said.

Zaldy Co's Challenge

Remulla responded to Zaldy Co’s challenge to investigate the people he named during his online testimony by urging Co to return to the Philippines and formally submit his claims in an affidavit with supporting evidence, emphasizing that Co should not “muddy the waters since he is also one of the accused."

The Ombudsman also questioned the logic of Co’s allegations against the President, saying that the President submits the budget after the State of the Nation Address, where next year’s agenda is presented. “The preparation of the budget is the President’s responsibility. What’s the need for insertion?” he asked.

“He has an accomplice in the executive department, I believe he does,” Remulla added.

He further reacted to Co’s claim that he cannot return to the Philippines due to safety concerns:

“We’re not having anyone killed; that’s not something we do,” he said.