Ombudsman deputizes DOJ to prosecute persons in Bulacan ghost flood control projects

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla has deputized the Department of Justice for the prosecution of individuals against whom it filed complaints in connection with five ghost flood control projects in Bulacan.

Remulla said the information against the respondents would be returned to the DOJ.

"The five flood control cases filed by the DOJ, we're returning it to them already. They will be the ones to conduct preliminary investigation, and they will be the ones who will file the case," Remulla said at a news conference.

Remulla said this is to prevent a repeat of the process in the Office of the Ombudsman. He said the DOJ also already has the witnesses.

“We don't need that. So they will go straight to the [regional trial court] to file these cases,” Remulla said.

The preliminary investigation period, Remulla said, will also allow those charged to file their answer to the allegations.

Remulla, however, said many of those being charged in the five flood control cases in Bulacan are willing to testify for the prosecution and already admit liability.

“Many of those [that the DOJ wants charged] are actually testifying already and admitting liability. So, we think that this will be a good step towards the start of returning the stolen money,” Remulla said.

Remulla said he would also meet Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Econg next week to iron out the mechanics on how the restitution or the return of stolen funds will work under a plea-bargain agreement, which would need the approval of the Sandiganbayan, which is the anti-graft court.

In an earlier interview, Remulla said the accused in cases involving ghost and substandard flood control projects will be required to return in full the amount they stole from the public coffers if they wish to enter into a plea bargain agreement with the government, meaning to plead guilty to lesser offenses. 

"Pwede mag plea-bargain basta may full restitution," Remulla said.

(You can enter a plea bargain agreement as long as there is full restitution.) –NB, GMA Integrated News