Isinampa ng Office of the Ombudsman sa Sandiganbayan ang 14 na bilang ng kasong graft laban kay USWAG Ilonggo party-list Rep. James "Jojo" Ang Jr. dahil sa umano'y ugnayan nito sa isang construction firm.

"While sitting in Congress, Rep. Ang holds a stake in a construction firm that won P214 million in DPWH contracts — and was paid nearly P199 million for them," sabi ng Ombudsman nitong Sabado.

"The Constitution is clear: no lawmaker may be financially interested in a government contract during his term. Conflict of interest is not a gray area. It does not require proof that a deal was rigged or that cash changed hands — only that a public official profited, or stood to profit, from a government contract while in office."

Nahaharap naman sa dalawang bilang ng graft at dalawang bilang ng malversation sina dating Sultan Kudarat 2nd District Rep. Arnulfo Go at tatlong iba pa.

Dating napasama si Ang sa rekomendasyon ng Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) sa Ombudsman na imbestigahan para sa posibleng pandarambong at panunuhol kaugnay ng bilyon-bilyong pisong halaga ng infrastructure projects mula 2016 hanggang 2024, kasama si Zaldy Co.

Dati nang tinukoy ni ICI chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. si Ang bilang isa sa mga posibleng "cong-tractor."

“These so-called cong-tractors are those members of Congress or their partners or family members who own construction firms that receive project awards or obtain contracts from the DPWH,” sabi ni Reyes noong Nobyembre.

Sa isang press statement noong Nobyembre, sinabi ni Ang na kumpiyansa siyang malilinis niya ang kaniyang pangalan.

“My conscience is clear. I am confident that I will be able to clear my name soon. My resolve for truth to come out is stronger and clearer,” sabi ni Ang.

“In my three years in public service, I have never used my position in the government for my own interest and to profit in any way. I hold the trust of the Ilonggos strongly, and will never betray the faith of my kasimanwas in me as their representative in Uswag Ilonggo Party-list since 2022,” dagdag niya.

Sinabi rin ni Ang na handa siyang harapin ang mga kaso laban sa kaniya.

“I stand firm on what is true and just. I am ready to face this case in the proper forum,” dagdag niya. —VBL GMA News