Cadiz back at DoJ amid ‘bagman’ claim

Cadiz back at DoJ amid ‘bagman’ claim | Daily Tribune

After a seven-day official leave of absence, Justice Undersecretary Jose Cadiz has returned to work even as he faces allegations of acting as a supposed “bagman” for kickbacks in the controversial flood control scandal.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) official reported back for duty on Monday after taking an approved leave from 21 to 28 November, according to Department of Justice spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez.

Martinez confirmed that Cadiz reported for work Monday and did not extend his leave.

Cadiz has been under scrutiny since former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co implicated the undersecretary in the alleged delivery of kickbacks intended for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former Speaker Martin Romualdez related to anomalous flood control projects.

The DoJ spokesperson previously maintained a “status quo” on Cadiz’s employment amid the initial controversy.

Justice Acting Secretary Frederick Vida also defended the integrity of the department’s investigation into the flood control scandal, saying the probe’s independence would not be compromised by Cadiz’s continued presence in the agency.

Vida further clarified the department’s jurisdictional limits regarding the allegations against a public official like Cadiz.

He said the DoJ has no jurisdiction over such matters because it prosecutes private persons, while the Office of the Ombudsman is the proper body to prosecute public servants.

The flood control controversy has expanded into one of the largest corruption scandals in recent memory, with investigators examining more than P100 billion in project allocations allegedly padded through budget insertions.

Co claimed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally benefited from the scheme, alleging that the President received P25 billion from the pooled kickbacks — equivalent to 25 percent of the total insertion.

He further alleged that he delivered portions of these funds directly to Malacañang and to the residence of Romualdez.

The claims are now the subject of multiple complaints and congressional inquiries into ghost projects, nonexistent flood works, and contractors allegedly compelled to remit commissions before receiving payments.

Malacañang and the camp of Romualdez have denied the allegations, dismissing Co’s statements as fabricated and self-serving, urging him to come home to face charges.