A fresh turn in the flood-control controversy emerged Friday as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced that evidence gathered against former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co has been formally turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Speaking through a video posted on Facebook, Marcos said the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had completed their review and were forwarding their findings. “Nais kong [ipaalam] sa ating mga kababayan na ang ICI at tsaka ang DPWH ay lahat ng nakuha nila na impormasyon ay i-rerefer, ibibigay na sa Ombudsman para imbestigahan ng Ombudsman. Ito ay tungkol sa mga impormasyon ng Dating Speaker Martin Romualdez at tsaka ni Zaldy Co,” he said.
The President emphasized that the Ombudsman’s next steps would rely solely on the material compiled. “Kapag nakita ang lahat ng ebidensya, baka mag-file ng kasong plunder, o anti-graft, o indirect bribery. Malakas naman ang loob natin na yung ombudsman, ang ginagawa lamang ay sumusunod sa ebidensya. At kung saan tayo dinadala ng ebidensya, doon pupunta ang ating imbestigasyon,” he added.
Just minutes after the statement circulated, ICI member Rogelio “Babes” Singson and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon personally delivered boxes of documents to the Ombudsman’s office. Dizon said the referral involved roughly P100 billion worth of government contracts awarded from 2016 to 2025 to Sunwest Corporation and Hi Tone Construction—companies linked to Co. He also pointed out that their evaluation considered sworn testimonies aired in the Senate blue ribbon investigation. “Hindi namin sasabihing recommended kung wala kaming nakikitang basehan,” Dizon said.
Romualdez has repeatedly rejected allegations that he benefited from commissions in infrastructure projects, claims raised in the Senate by contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya. Co, meanwhile, has accused Marcos, Romualdez, and several Cabinet officials of engineering P100 billion in “insertions” in the national budget, an accusation Marcos dismissed. “I don’t want to even dignify what he was saying,” the President said earlier.
Romualdez has also maintained that his conscience “remains clear.”
The Ombudsman, led by Jesus Crispin Remulla, signaled that the investigation is already in motion. On Thursday, Remulla said the agency expects to file charges against Romualdez within six to nine months in connection with the flood-control controversy. He noted that investigators are considering multiple angles but will only move forward on violations supported by solid proof.
“I do not want to find a lousy case. I will never find a lousy case. I’m not that kind of person. I want things to be done properly. I want it to be documented. I want it to be solid. And I want to look the justice as a guy. That way. If you miss out on this case, it’s your problem, not mine. Because that’s the way it should be,” Remulla said.
He previously stated that Romualdez, as Speaker at the time, could be held liable for gross negligence following Co’s actions in connection with an allegedly irregular P289 million flood-control project in Oriental Mindoro. Co’s camp has already acknowledged they are anticipating criminal charges.
