Incoming Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said he is confident that government officials involved in the alleged corruption in flood control projects will be brought to justice.
“Sigurado ’yan. Kagaya nitong flood control ghost project, open and shut case ’yan. Hindi rocket science ’yan. Pwede talagang panagutin lahat ng involved dyan,” Remulla told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview on Thursday.
He said the main challenge lies in determining how high up the chain of command the evidence can reach. “Ang problema lang diyan, how far up the food chain do you go? Hanggang saan tayo merong ebidensya? ‘Yan ang ating pinag-aaralan ngayon,” he added.
Remulla said the Office of the Ombudsman will initiate a motu proprio investigation into the flood control anomaly, with the Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation, and Philippine National Police assisting in the probe.
While he could not specify when the involved officials might be convicted, Remulla said that continuous hearings could yield results within three to four months.
“Hihingi tayo ng continuous trial sa korte. At makikipag-dialogue ako sa judiciary tungkol dito para lang naman ang rules of the game malinaw… Kapag ganyan, may mako-convict na tayo in three to four months’ time,” he said.
As part of his incoming mandate, Remulla also revealed that he would review the case of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, which was linked to alleged irregularities in pandemic-related procurement.
“Nag-briefing na ako kahapon ng ilang kaso sa Ombudsman. Isa ‘yan sa aking ipasisilip muli… ibibigay ko sa ibang team kasi parang natulog nang matagal iyan,” he said.
He added that he would soon make recommendations to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. regarding his potential replacement as Justice Secretary. “Pag-uusapan pa namin ng Pangulo ‘yan. Meron akong mga rekomendasyon pero siyempre depende pa rin yan sa Pangulo natin,” he said.
