Arrest warrants for government officials allegedly involved in the flood control project anomalies could be issued shortly before Christmas, by mid-December, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said.

In an interview on the digital show Facts First on Sunday, Remulla said warrants could be out around 15 or 16 December for former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co and current and former senators, including Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla.

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

Remulla said that on Monday or Tuesday, a case would be filed in the Sandiganbayan against Co, Sunwest Construction, the regional district engineer and other personnel. He also said he now found former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo’s statements more credible, attributing the minor inconsistencie to lapses in memory.

On Iglesia ni Cristo rally

Remulla said the ongoing INC rally appears to be where Duterte forces have found an ally. “The Duterte forces are looking for a tipping point. They found an ally in the Iglesia ni Cristo, and their goal is to bring down the government. That’s what I’m seeing — nothing more, nothing less,” he said in Filipino.

He emphasized that freedom of expression must remain within the law. “We respect freedom of expression, but it must conform to the law. What keeps our country together is the rule of law.”

Remulla described the situation as a stalemate: “Our country is divided in the middle right now. There is no majority calling for drastic change; people are very cautious.”

He stressed that democratic processes like the filing of impeachment cases must be respected.

“Democracy is not instant like pouring hot water for coffee. It’s a long process,” he said, noting that the first case in the flood control anomaly — allegedly involving Co and Sunwest — is expected to reach the Sandiganbayan by Tuesday at the latest.

The Ombudsman explained that his office is using a prima facie approach to allow continuous trials and faster decisions.

“We’re not doing probable cause here. Once it’s laid out, we can move to a continuous trial so decisions can come quickly and not take forever,” he said.

He cited the PDAF cases, some of which took over 10 years to resolve, as a cautionary example. “That should not happen. The justice system must move faster on the flood control project scandal.”

On Co’s challenge

On Co’s online exposé, Remulla urged him to return to the country and formally submit his claims with evidence. “He should not muddy the waters since he is also one of the accused,” he said.

He questioned Co’s allegations against the President, noting that the budget is submitted after the State of the Nation Address, where the next year’s agenda is outlined. “The preparation of the budget is the President’s responsibility. What’s the need for insertions?”