Ombudsman: At least 10% of House members under probe over flood control mess

At least 10% of the 318-strong House of Representatives are being investigated for their possible liability and possible conflict of interest in the flood control controversy, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Wednesday.

He made the announcement after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) recommended the filing of plunder, graft, and other charges against former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and seven other lawmakers with alleged links to contractors that won deals for government infrastructure projects.

“A lot of the House members will be affected here. At least 10% of Congress [House of Representatives] will be affected. About 10% are part of the investigation,” Remulla said in a press conference.

“It will still branch out. But it’s only low-hanging fruit. These eight today, there will be around 12 to 15 more [House members] who have conflict of interest,” he added.

The House of Representatives has 318 members, composed of district congressmen and party-list representatives.

Remulla himself was a member of the House from 2004 to 2013 and from 2019 to 2022, prior to his appointment as Justice Secretary by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“This hurts because this entails a lot of personal sacrifice. Friendships are lost, and I am getting the ire of a lot of people. Even my children are affected. This is not easy,” the Ombudsman said.

Remulla said he will also talk to Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III to avoid disruptions in the legislative and oversight work of the House.

“I will talk to the Speaker because this will really be disruptive. A lot of people would feel the pinch,” he said.

GMA News Online has reached out to Dy for comment on Remulla's statement and will publish it once available.

Earlier, Remulla said he already asked the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to place 77 individuals – including some lawmakers – under a Foreign Travel Restriction Order (FTRO). These individuals are being probed over their possible liability in the flood control controversy.

“It is something that we need in our legal system. Hindi puwedeng takas lang nang takas (They cannot just keep on escaping),” Remulla said. — JMA, GMA Integrated News