The Department of Justice (DOJ) will revisit the alleged involvement of Sen. Joel Villanueva in the flood control scam after the Office of the Ombudsman said it would continue its case buildup due to insufficient evidence.

The announcement came a day after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the evidence against Villanueva remained insufficient, despite his earlier statement that the complaints were already "ripe" for filing in court.

In March, the DOJ said it had referred to the Ombudsman its recommendations on three malversation complaints against Villanueva.

Justice Secretary Frederick Vida said the department would determine what additional documents or evidence are needed to strengthen the case.

"We need to know what is lacking. If it is not satisfactory, we will make it satisfactory because, at the end of the day, we want people held accountable," Vida said.

He added that the DOJ would continue working with the Ombudsman, which has jurisdiction over cases involving senators.

The DOJ was deputized by the Office of the Ombudsman to assist in the case buildup involving the alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

"We continue working together. Whatever documents or pieces of evidence are lacking, we will continue building on what is available," Vida said.

Asked whether Villanueva, who recently joined the Senate majority bloc, would eventually face charges in court, Vida declined to speculate.

"That's a presumption that we cannot reach at this time," he said.

Villanueva has consistently denied receiving kickbacks or having any involvement in the alleged flood control anomalies.