The Department of Justice (DoJ) on Tuesday said it will revisit the allegations linking Senator Joel Villanueva to the alleged flood control scam after the Office of the Ombudsman said it had insufficient evidence to continue building its case against him.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Monday the evidence against Villanueva was lacking, despite his earlier statement that the complaints against the senator were already “ripe” for filing in court.

Last March, the DoJ announced that it had referred to the Ombudsman its recommendations on three malversation complaints against Villanueva.

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said the DoJ would review what evidence was still needed and work to strengthen the case.

“We need to know what documents or evidence are lacking, and if these are not sufficient, we will make them satisfactory because at the end of the day, we want the people held accountable,” Vida said.

He said the DoJ will continue coordinating with the Ombudsman, which has the authority to file cases in court involving senators. The DoJ was earlier deputized by the Ombudsman to assist in the case buildup involving the allegedly anomalous flood control projects.

The justice secretary declined to comment on whether Villanueva, who recently joined the Senate majority bloc, would eventually face charges in court.

“That’s a presumption that we cannot reach at this time,” he said.

Villanueva has consistently denied receiving kickbacks or being involved in the alleged flood control project scandal.