Ombudsman Remulla eyes filing of cases with Sandiganbayan 'in next few weeks'

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday said he may file cases with the Sandiganbayan over the flood control scandal in the next few weeks.

“Ang timeline niyan syempre on the evidence pa rin. Pero marami naman na kaming nakuhang evidence. Talagang sisikapin lang namin na mabuo nang husto kasi nga ayaw namin na kami ang maging cause ng delay,” Remulla said at a briefing.

(The timeline of that still depends on the evidence. But we already have gathered a lot of evidence. We’ll just make sure to complete everything properly because we don’t want to be the cause of any delay.)

“‘Yung timeline niyan will depend on that, but malamang niyan within the next few weeks. ‘Pag mag-file kami ready, kami for trial,” he added.

(The timeline of that will depend on it, but most likely within the next few weeks. When we file, we’re ready for trial.)

Remulla earlier took his oath as the new Ombudsman before Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.

He said he will prioritize the investigation into anomalous flood control projects upon assuming his new post, adding that there will be no sacred cows.

“Wala tayong sinisino dito. Kung mataas man o mababa. Pero sisiguraduhin natin ‘yung ebidensyang nakatuon ‘pag file natin ng kaso. So kahit mataas ‘yan, kahit umabot ng senador ‘yan, kung saan man abutin ‘yan, gagawin natin,” he said.

(We don’t play favorites here, whether they’re high-ranking or low-ranking. But we’ll make sure the evidence is solid when we file the case. So even if it reaches a senator, wherever it leads, we’ll pursue it.)

Asked if this will extend to relatives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Remulla said he has no choice as that is the evidence.

The government began investigating Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez, Marcos’ cousin, after Orly Guteza, a surprise witness, linked him to the flood control probe.

Romualdez has denied the allegations against him.

“Wala naman tayong choice dito, ‘yun ang ebidensya. Pwede ba natin i-deny ang ebidensya? Kung merong ebidensya. ‘Yan ang talagang hamon sa atin dito, to produce the evidence,” he said.

(We don’t really have a choice here, that’s the evidence. Can we deny the evidence if it exists? That’s really the challenge for us here: to produce the evidence.)

Pharmally case

Remulla also reiterated that he will revisit the case involving Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation.

When asked if cases may be filed against former President Rodrigo Duterte over the Pharmally case, he said he did not know yet as this will depend on the evidence.

“Hanggang saan tayo abutin ng ebidensya, doon tayo tutungo,” he said.

(Wherever the evidence leads us, that’s where we’ll go.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News