Ombudsman has bank records for ‘big cases’ vs. higher officials in flood control mess

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said that government prosecutors have secured bank records as evidence in a big case in relation to prosecutions related to flood control projects.

“We will be seeking the help of the AMLC [Anti-Money Laundering Council]. Meron pa kaming malalaking kaso na hinahanda [We are preparing big cases],” Remulla said in a press conference after the Department of Justice (DOJ) referred to the Office of the Ombudsman its recommendation to file graft, malversation, perjury and falsification of public documents charges against Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials of the Bulacan First District Engineering Office and contractors involved in five ghost flood control projects.

“Mayroong pumasok na impormasyon ngayong araw tungkol sa records ng AMLC. Mainit na mainit pa nung nakita ko kanina. This will involve higher officials. Ma-assure ko sa inyo, this will involve higher officials. May mga data na pumapasok na talagang magpapakita na nagkabatuhan ng pera from one account to the other. Hindi pa cash. Bank to bank pa,” he added.

(We received information today about AMLC records. It was still hot when I received the information a while ago. I assure you, this will involve higher officials. We have data that will show money transfers from one account to the other. Not cash. Bank to bank.)

He also said government prosecutors will pursue restitution or the return of public funds lost to these ghost flood control projects.

"‘Yan po ang pag-uusapan po sa korte na. We can't decide on it now, but we can settle it during the pre-trial period of the cases filed...para magkasoli-an ng pera...at kung gusto nila na mag-plea bargain,” Remulla said.

(We'll talk about that when the case reaches the court. We will seek return of public funds, and if the accused will consider a plea bargain.)

A plea bargain deal is an option wherein the accused in a case will plead for a lesser offense in exchange of returning the government losses as a result of his or her action.

“It will be the choice of the accused,” Remulla said.

DOJ officer-in-charge Fredderick Vida, for his part, said the accused cannot dictate upon the government prosecutors’ actions.

“Tayo ang agrabyado. Ang taumbayan. So iyong nang agrabyado, wala dapat karapatang magdikta sa atin,” Vida said.

(The public was aggrieved here, so those who committed the grievance against us have no right to dictate on us.)

“Iyong mga nangdehado, dapat sumunod sa panuntunan natin. Hindi sila ang magdidikta ng kondisyon para sa atin,” Vida added.

(Those who’ve aggrieved the public should follow our rules. They cannot set the conditions for us.)

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. launched a crackdown on anomalous flood control projects during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Since then, the Palace has launched Sumbong sa Pangulo website, allowing the public to flag and file reports on anomalous flood control projects in their respective areas for government action. — BM, GMA Integrated News