The Office of the Ombudsman has filed nine counts of graft against Tarlac 3rd District Representative Noel Rivera over his alleged conflict of interest in flood control projects.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed the filing during a press conference Friday after reports emerged that the cases had been formally transmitted to the Sandiganbayan.

The anti-graft court raffled the cases to six of its divisions. Two counts each were assigned to the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Divisions, while one count each was raffled to the First, Second and Fourth Divisions.

Rivera is the latest lawmaker to face charges in connection with the government’s widening investigation into alleged irregularities in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects.

Earlier, the Ombudsman filed 14 counts of graft against Uswag Ilonggo Partylist Rep. James “Jojo” Ang over his alleged financial interest in a construction company that supposedly received P214 million worth of DPWH contracts while he was already serving as a member of the House of Representatives.

The charges against Rivera likewise stem from allegations of conflict of interest involving flood control projects.

Rivera has yet to issue a statement on the filing of the cases.

Other cases

The latest cases add to a growing list of prosecutions arising from the alleged multibillion-peso flood control scandal.

Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. has been charged with plunder, malversation and graft over an alleged ghost flood control project in Bulacan. He is out on bail.

The Ombudsman also charged Sen. Jinggoy Estrada with plunder over the alleged receipt of P573 million in kickbacks from flood control projects.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta, on the other hand, faces a separate plunder case over alleged undeclared campaign donations amounting to P75 million.

Estrada has sought bail, arguing that the evidence against him is not strong, while Marcoleta has challenged the charges before the Supreme Court and maintains he is being politically persecuted.