Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced Friday that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will turn over to the Office of the Ombudsman all evidence on alleged flood control anomalies.

According to Philippines News Agency, in a video message, Marcos stated that the ICI and the DPWH would submit findings allegedly implicating former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co. Marcos emphasized his commitment to keeping the public informed about ongoing cases and information regarding improperly implemented flood control projects.

Marcos revealed that all the information gathered by the ICI and the DPWH will be referred to the Ombudsman for investigation. He mentioned the possibility of filing plunder, anti-graft, and indirect bribery charges against Romualdez and Co if evidence establishes their involvement in the flood control mess.

The President expressed confidence in Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’
s impartiality in handling the case, stressing that the investigation will be evidence-driven. Marcos assured that the Ombudsman would follow the evidence wherever it leads.

On Tuesday, the Office of the Ombudsman filed graft charges against Co and several officials of the DPWH and Sunwest Corp. in connection with a PHP289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. Ombudsman Remulla is also examining the names mentioned by Co in his video statements released on his official Facebook page.

Meanwhile, Romualdez maintained his innocence and expressed trust in the Ombudsman’s impartial review. He stated that he had willingly participated in the ICI’s fact-finding process and remained in the country throughout the proceedings, asserting that no credible evidence has linked him to any irregularity. Romualdez conveyed confidence in a fair and thorough assessment of the case by the Ombudsman.