Tiangco said President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. must prove that the investigation will not spare any public official from accountability, even if the probe leads to his closest allies.
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco called the timing of the recantation of affidavits by alleged bodyguards of former partylist Representative Zaldy Co “suspicious.”
Tiangco pointed out Sunday that they were made as former House Speaker Martin Romualdez had already been asked to respond to the allegations before the Office of the Ombudsman.
“They recanted one day before the deadline for Martin Romualdez to answer? Such wonderful timing,” Tiangco said.
The affidavits were reportedly intended to establish a case against Romualdez in connection with the multibillion-peso flood-control scandal.
Tiangco said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. must prove that the investigation will not spare any public official from accountability, even if the probe leads to his closest allies.
With Marcos having first exposed the flood-control controversy, Tiangco said the President should direct all government agencies, including those under the executive branch, to cooperate with the Ombudsman.
“Mr. President, you started this fight. Now prove that no amount of money, influence, or political connection can place anyone beyond accountability. It must not see any color,” Tiangco said.
He also said the administration should use its “full force” in pursuing the case against Romualdez, if warranted, just as it had prosecuted opposition figures.
“If Martin Romualdez is not charged with plunder, the Filipino people will have no other choice but to conclude that he had an ace up his sleeve. Finish what you started, Mr. President,” he said.
Marcos first raised concerns over irregularities in flood-control projects during his 2025 State of the Nation Address following inspections of areas affected by typhoons.
He said he found projects that were incomplete, substandard or nonexistent.
A year later, former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Uswag Ilonggo Partylist Rep. James “Jojo” Ang and Tarlac Rep. Noel “Bong” Rivera have been formally charged in cases related to the flood-control controversy.
Romualdez, one of Marcos’ cousins, has also figured prominently in the investigations.
The Ombudsman has filed a case for preliminary investigation against Romualdez, Co and other government officials over allegations of conspiracy to commit plunder, graft, direct and indirect bribery, and money laundering in connection with alleged flood-control kickbacks.
Romualdez has denied the allegations and maintained that the investigation against him was prejudiced.
He has also criticized Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla for allegedly drawing conclusions without sufficient evidence.
“I will not be intimidated. I will face every accusation against me, defend myself with the facts, the evidence, and the truth,” Romualdez had said.
