Ombudsman Remulla won't give dates on filing of flood control mess raps

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Thursday he will not be giving dates on the filing of charges against those allegedly involved in the flood control kickback scheme.

Remulla made the position when asked to confirm Senator Imee Marcos’ claim that the filing of charges against Senators Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, and former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. in connection with the flood control mess will be on January 15.

“Buti pa siya, alam niya. Ako, hindi ko alam [ang filing of charges na ‘yan]. Hindi ko alam saan ‘yan nanggagaling. We cannot give any dates or any commitments [on] anything [about that],” Remulla said.

(Oh, she knows that? Good for her. I don’t know when the charges will be filed. I don't know where she got her information.)

“I don't want to mention any more names for now. All I can say is that things are moving smoothly. We are hiring people. The work is continuing on a daily basis and we intend to keep it that way for the next seven years. We are doing our work. The DOJ is doing its work,” he added.

Remulla served as Justice secretary before being appointed Ombudsman on October 7, 2025.

In addition, the Ombudsman conceded that it would be better to refrain from mentioning dates, although he did not cite a specific incident.

It can be recalled that Remulla said in December that big-time perpetrators of the flood control mess would be in jail by December 15, 2025.

So far, the Ombudsman under Remulla’s tenure has filed two batches of flood control related cases:

• the malversation and graft charges filed vs. former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and 16 others with the Sandiganbayan 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

“It is (pronouncement of dates and names) being misinterpreted and some people want to push the issue and try to put a date. I will not do that. Tapos na tayo. I think we've learned our lesson from that,” Remulla said.

He, however, assured the public that justice will be served and that the “big fish” behind the flood control kickback scheme will face consequences.

“[Our commitment is that] you [will] see us here every day, working to make sure that justice is obtained by the Filipino people,” he said.

“Walang duda ‘yun (There is no doubt about that). We have to observe due process. The law mandates that you cannot step on the rights of the people. That's what's under our Constitution: the accused also have rights,” Remulla added. —AOL, GMA Integrated News