Clavano: Two batches of flood control cases to be filed with Sandiganbayan this week

The Office of the Ombudsman is set to file with the Sandiganbayan two sets of criminal charges in connection with the flood control controversy this week, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Tuesday.

“There are some cases that are up for filing…that may reach the Sandiganbayan this week,” Clavano told reporters at the sidelines of an anti-corruption forum in Pasig City.

Likewise, Clavano assured the public that the cases the Ombudsman prosecutors will file are airtight.

“Definitely [these are strong cases] because we are not chasing headlines here. We are not after good news before Christmas. Ang hinahabol po natin yung totoong accountability, totoong may mananagot sa mga kasalanang ginawa sa taumbayan. These cases do not have the same sets of evidence [on hand]. There are some cases that are stronger than others,” Clavano said.

(We are after accountability and sending perpetrators to jail for their sins against our people.)

“If we see evidence that the proponent [lawmaker] received the payoff, then that would be easier to prove rather than those who hide under many layers, those who have a bagman that we have to identify to establish the liability. Because we were to just keep filing and filing [cases], that won’t do because it will fall on us if the perpetrators of this mess will escape accountability,” Clavano added.

There are only two batches of flood control cases filed with the courts so far:

• the malversation and graft charges filed vs. former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and 16 others with the Sandiganabayan over the P289 million substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro and
• the malversation and graft charges filed against contractor Sarah Discaya, among others, with the Digos City, Davao del Sur Regional Trial Court over the P96.5 million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental