The House of Representatives will be disrupted following the recent developments in the flood control corruption issue, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Wednesday, after a new batch of evidence implicated additional “congtractors.”
“The congress will be really disrupted because these things will hurt a lot, many individuals will be hurt with this because our law is full of statutes that will make people accountable and pay the price for their mistakes,” Ombudsman Remulla said in a mix of English and Filipino.
According to Remulla, he will talk to current House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy on the matter, as more than 10 percent of the members of Congress may be affected as the cases continue to develop.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), together with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), has recommended charges against seven congressmen and former Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, including Cong. Edwin Gardiola, Cong. James Ang Jr., Cong. Jernie Nissay, Cong. Augustina Pancho, Cong. Joseph Lara, Cong. Francisco Matugas, and Cong. Noel Rivera.
“It’s no joke to talk about ten percent of them being part of the investigation because this will branch out because right now they are just low hanging fruit. This right now is just 8, there will be around 12 to 15 more that obviously has a conflict of interest,” Ombudsman Remulla said.
The individuals were allegedly involved in the anomalous flood control projects as lawmakers who were also part of rigged bidding linked to their own construction companies.
The contractors were recommended by the ICI and DPWH to face possible charges including plunder, graft, direct bribery, conflict of interest, and violation of the Government Procurement Reform Act.
“We are presenting evidence that they also own construction companies that have various contracts with the DPWH,” Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said, highlighting the more than 20 boxes they transferred to the Office of the Ombudsman.
To prevent the individuals involved from leaving the country and potentially avoiding investigation, the Ombudsman revealed that he signed a letter requesting restrictions on foreign travel.
Remulla said the letter is addressed to the Bureau of Immigration to impose a Foreign Travel Restriction Order on 77 individuals involved in the scandal. This includes congressmen, senators, and private sector personnel who are currently the subject of the Ombudsman’s fact-finding investigation.
The Ombudsman explained that this is separate from cases filed in the Sandiganbayan, where those under preliminary investigation are covered by precautionary hold departure orders.
As of press time, two of the freshly recommended congressmen have released statements confidently denying the allegations against them.
“We wholeheartedly accept the decision of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to endorse the case regarding my connection to JLL Pulsar Construction to the Office of the Ombudsman. We want to clarify and emphasize that the case endorsed by the ICI to the Office of the Ombudsman is NOT about anomaly in flood control, ghost projects, or substandard projects of the DPWH, but is ONLY about my former connection to JLL Pulsar Construction,” Cong. Lara said in his statement.
“My conscience is clear. I am confident that I will be able to clear my name soon. My resolve for truth to come out is stronger and clearer. In my three years in public service, I have never used my position in the government for my own interest and to profit in any way,” Cong. Ang said in his statement.
Meanwhile, Ombudsman Remulla and Secretary Dizon urged Zaldy Co, who remains out of the country and continues to post actively on social media despite the charges, to return and face the accusations.
“Actually, given the length and the volume (of the video), I do not have time to watch that, sorry, I cannot comment on that. He should just come home and prove the truth of what he is saying,” Remulla said.
“Everyone can do Facebook live. The test here is, is he going home or not? If he’s going home, then just like what the president said, let’s face each other and talk,” Dizon stated.