Ombudsman seeks foreign travel ban for 77 gov't personnel in flood control mess

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday said his office has sought a Foreign Travel Restriction Order (FTRO) against 77 government officials and personnel, including lawmakers, who are being investigated over their possible liability in the flood control kickback scheme.

In a press briefing, Remulla said that the placement of government officials under FTRO is a legal authority vested on the Ombudsman to prevent the departure from the country of government personnel under investigation.

The FTRO is also consistent with the requirement for government officials to secure travel authority before leaving for abroad, he said.

“We requested assistance from the Bureau of Immigration to hold 77 people under fact-finding investigation under (FTRO),” Remulla said.

The measure is meant to prevent liable government personnel from evading possible liability, he said.

“It is something that we need in our legal system. Hindi puedeng takas lang nang takas,” Remulla added.

(These people under investigation cannot just leave on a whim.)

Remulla, however, did not disclose the names of the 77 government personnel.

Last week, the Ombudsman filed malversation and two counts of graft charges against former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and board directors of private firm Sunwest Construction over their involvement in the contracting of a substandard P289 million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro .

This is the only case filed so far before the Sandiganbayan in relation to the flood control mess.—MCG, GMA Integrated News