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On Friday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. announced that the Ombudsman will be investigating all the evidence collected by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). This investigation could lead to criminal charges against former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Elizaldy S. Co.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to let everyone know that all the information gathered by the ICI and the DPWH will be handed over to the Ombudsman for their investigation,\u201d he shared in a Facebook post in Filipino.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis involves details about former Speaker Martin Romualdez and Zaldy Co. Once all the evidence is reviewed and confirmed, we might file cases for plunder or anti-graft or indirect bribery,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Mr. Marcos expressed confidence that the Ombudsman will follow the leads from the agencies. \u201cWherever the evidence takes us, that\u2019s where our investigation will go.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a joint report, the DPWH and ICI recommended plunder, graft, and bribery charges against Mr. Romualdez and Mr. Co for their alleged roles in dubious flood control projects.<\/p>\n
DPWH Secretary Vince B. Dizon mentioned that the report includes contracts from Sunwest Inc. and Hi-Tone Construction dating from 2016 to 2025, along with testimonies from retired Sgt. Orly Guteza, who stated he was Mr. Co\u2019s former security aide during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe recommended actions on the second to last page include a violation of Republic Act 7080, which defines and penalizes plunder; violations of Section 3A, B, E, and H of Republic Act 3019, known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; and finally, a violation of Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code regarding direct bribery,\u201d he explained during a press conference.<\/p>\n
Mr. Romualdez told DZBB Super Radyo that he is ready to face any investigations or charges against him. He has previously denied claims of receiving kickbacks related to flood control projects, accusations brought forth by contractor duo Cezarah Rowena \u201cSarah\u201d Discaya and Pacifico \u201cCurlee\u201d Discaya II during a Senate hearing in September.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in a video statement on November 17, Mr. Co called himself a \u201cposter boy,\u201d accusing Mr. Marcos, Mr. Romualdez, and other Cabinet members of having \u201cinsertions\u201d worth P100 billion in the national budget.<\/p>\n