Investigators in the Office of the Ombudsman are examining allegations related to the flood control issue involving multiple current and former lawmakers, with officials acknowledging that several teams are already assigned to the task.
Speaking in a televised interview, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said his office has been gathering information on Senator Francis Escudero, former Senator Nancy Binay, Senator Mark Villar, and former Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares following referrals from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure. He noted that the process is still at what he described as a careful, methodical stage.
“We are doing the case build-up, we’re doing preliminary work, we are doing everything that needs to be done. So I’d rather stop there regarding his (Escudero) case,” Remulla stated. He also remarked that the office receives information “every day,” adding, “I cannot speak about details because it would prejudice our case.”
On the allegations against Binay, Remulla said the material received by his office is undergoing “evaluation and case build-up.” He stressed that his office is not rushing to file complaints, emphasizing that “haste makes waste.” “A case might get filed hastily and then dismissed later; it’s like creating your anti-virus,” he said.
Remulla confirmed that evidence related to Villar covers his period leading the Department of Public Works and Highways as well as his time in the Senate. He added that about eight teams are now working on the controversy and more are expected next year.
The officials named have publicly rejected the accusations. Binay has insisted she was not involved in flood control projects and pointed out she had no Senate personnel who could engage in such schemes. Villar, for his part, called the allegations “baseless and unsupported by any evidence.” Escudero has also denied involvement, while Poe stressed she has never engaged in corruption.
The referrals from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure stemmed from testimony and affidavits presented by former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing in September.
