Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Office of the Ombudsman is now validating the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial report on controversial flood control projects as it prepares draft complaints tied to the alleged anomalies.
Remulla said the Ombudsman currently has around 35 to 45 ongoing investigations related to flood control projects nationwide, stressing that the agency is carefully building cases and gathering evidence before filing charges.
“Case buildup talaga,” Remulla said, adding that the Senate report would help supplement their ongoing investigations against individuals who allegedly profited from the projects.
According to the Ombudsman, the Senate report includes transcripts of sworn statements made during committee hearings, which are now undergoing validation by their office’s fact-finding teams.
Remulla said more cases linked to flood control projects and conflict of interest issues may be filed by September.
He also emphasized that subpoenas issued by the office are now centralized under his authority to prevent allegations that the Ombudsman is being “weaponized.”
The Ombudsman revealed that their probe includes members of the small bicameral committees from both the House of Representatives and the Senate involved in finalizing the national budget.
Among those being investigated are former Marikina representative Stella Quimbo, former Zamboanga City congressman Mannix Dalipe, and House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan.
Quimbo previously served as acting chairperson of the House appropriations committee after then-Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co stepped down from the post in January 2025 due to health reasons. Co is also facing cases related to the alleged flood control anomalies.
Remulla disclosed that the first draft complaint being prepared by the Ombudsman already spans 61 pages and may still expand as more evidence is gathered.
He added that a second draft complaint involving alleged conspiracy to commit plunder is also being prepared and would cover “everybody involved,” including lawmakers from both chambers of Congress.
Remulla also confirmed that a second money laundering case against House Speaker Martin Romualdez is currently being prepared.
“It’s about time that as a country, we face reality na kinakailangang ayusin natin ang sistema,” Remulla said.
