Former Pangasinan 4th District Representative Christopher de Venecia on Friday denied accusations linking him to an alleged “ghost” flood control project in his district, following the filing of a complaint against him before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The complaint alleges that the former lawmaker was collecting kickbacks from Department of Public Works and Highways contracts. De Venecia emphasized that all projects during his term were fully documented and properly executed.

“I categorically reject the recent allegations regarding ‘ghost flood control projects’ in our district. These claims are entirely false and unfounded. Every project initiated under my tenure was fully documented, properly executed, and delivered to the communities it was intended to serve,” De Venecia said in his statement.

De Venecia highlighted that one of the complainants, Jaime Aquino, is president of Samahan ng mga Operator at Tsuper ng Pangasinan Inc. and a journalist. According to the former congressman, Aquino has a history of supposed “malicious claims" against public officials.

“It is also important to highlight that the complaint originates from Mr. Jaime Aquino, a figure with a well-documented history of repeatedly filing baseless and malicious claims against public officials,” De Venecia said.

“Mr. Aquino has been expelled for life from the National Press Club for serious violations of journalistic ethics, which calls into question both the credibility and the motivation behind his latest complaint,” he added.

In the complaint, the complainants admitted that they still lack evidence to support their claims and have requested assistance from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and the Office of the Ombudsman for further investigation.

To recall, the complaint affidavit is for plunder, malversation, and grave misconduct against former Pangasinan 4th District Representative Christopher Perze De Venecia and other officials regarding supposed anomalies in two flood control projects in San Jacinto, Pangasinan worth approximately P286 million.

For De Venecia, the case is not supported by substantial facts.

“Equally concerning, the complainants themselves admit that they lack evidence and are requesting that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and the Office of the Ombudsman conduct further investigation. In other words, this case was filed without any substantiating facts,” De Venecia said.

According to De Venecia, he is prepared to provide all necessary evidence and documentation to prove the legitimacy and proper execution of the projects and is also exploring all legal remedies to hold those who he claimed propagate false and malicious accusations accountable.

“While I am ready to provide all necessary evidence and documentation to demonstrate the legitimacy and proper execution of every project, I am also exploring all legal remedies available to hold those who propagate false and malicious accusations accountable, including civil and criminal recourse,” he stated.