Ombudsman won’t say if alleged P385-M flood control scam is under probe

Ombudsman Samuel Martires will not say whether or not the anti-graft body is looking into the P385-million allocation for flood control projects allegedly inserted into the P3.757-trillion proposed national budget for 2019.

"I neither confirm nor deny that the so-called 'flood control scam' is under investigation," Martires said in a statement.

Martires did not give further details, but emphasized that the Field Investigation office operates with utmost confidentiality.

"It must be remembered that investigations conducted by the Field Investigation Office of the Office of the Ombudsman are highly confidential in nature," he said.

Martires said he planned to limit public access on pending cases at the Ombudsman to avoid "prosecution by publicity."

His remarks came after House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya said the Ombudsman was also investigating the supposed projects in Casiguran, Sorsogon.

Andaya said the DBM allotted the funds to Casiguran even if the town was not vulnerable to flooding.

He said the Ombudsman had was interested in the issue.

"Apparently, the Office of the Ombudsman has noticed red flags of corruption on the evidence presented and on the testimonies made during the hearing. We have seen these red flags of corruption ourselves, and we are sure that these will not evade the eagle eyes of the country's graftbusters," Andaya said. —NB, GMA News