The Office of the Ombudsman said complaints against Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel “Bong” Rivera and Uswag Ilonggo Partylist Rep. Jojo Ang over alleged conflict of interest in infrastructure projects have entered the preliminary investigation stage.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano refuted claims of selective justice following a protest staged by thousands of Iglesia Ni Cristo members against the Office of the Ombudsman’s imminent filing of plunder raps against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.

“I think it’s also quite unfair to call it selective justice because, as of today, actually this is the first time that we will be announcing this, but both Jojo Ang, a congressman, and Noel Rivera have already, well, the investigators have already endorsed their complaints for preliminary investigation,” Clavano said in response to the query of the media. 

He said the companies that have won a lot of the contracts are believed to be theirs, or at least to have beneficial ownership over.

Investigations showed Rivera reportedly owns Tarlac 3-G Construction & Development Corporation with his wife, Concepcion Vice Mayor Evelyn Rivera.

Pyra Lucas, founder of United Pilipino Against Crime and Corruption, earlier filed a complaint against the Rivera couple, alleging they conspired to channel around P600 million in government contracts to a company they allegedly own.

Lucas also alleged that Rivera signed around 30 government contracts awarded to the company since 2018.