President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to transmit all information they have gathered on alleged irregularities in flood control projects involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co to the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a video-recorded message released Friday, Marcos said the Ombudsman will now take over the investigation based on the evidence collected by the two bodies.

“Kaya ngayon, ay nais kong ipaalam sa ating mga kababayan na ang ICI at saka ang DPWH, lahat ng nakuha nila na impormasyon, ay ire-refer, ibibigay na sa Ombudsman para imbestigahan ng Ombudsman,” the President said, noting that the materials specifically concern Romualdez and Co.

Marcos added that the Ombudsman will determine whether charges — including plunder, graft, or indirect bribery — are warranted once all evidence has been evaluated.

“Pag nakita lahat ng ebidensya, baka magfile ng kaso ng plunder o anti-graft o indirect bribery,” Marcos stressed.

“Malakas naman ang loob natin na ‘yung Ombudsman, ang ginagawa lamang ay sumusunod sa ebidensya, at kung saan tayo dinadala ng ebidensya, doon pupunta ang ating imbestigasyon,” he added.

Malacañang emphasized that the probe into massive flood control anomalies has significantly progressed within three months since the administration launched the Sumbong ng Pangulo reporting platform on 11 August and created the ICI on 11 September to examine corruption in infrastructure projects spanning the past decade.

“President Marcos himself initiated the investigation into anomalous flood control projects when he denounced the systemic corruption during his July 28 Fourth State of the Nation Address,” the Palace said in a statement Friday.