Ombudsman to file fresh raps vs. flood control mess suspects on Jan. 16

The Ombudsman will file a new batch of criminal charges against personalities liable for alleged anomalies in flood control projects before the Sandiganbayan on Friday.

“Tomorrow, we are filing a case before the Sandiganbayan. Tuloy-tuloy ito (This will go on and on),” Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a press conference on Thursday.

Remulla declined to give additional details on the case to be filed.

“Basta, meron na bukas, abangan niyo na lang (Tomorrow, there will be a case filing. Just wait for it),” he said.

“Ebidensiya ang priority namin rito (Evidence is our priority here). We are not going for probable cause. We want reasonable certainty of conviction,” Remulla added.

Cases against public officials with Salary Grade 27 and higher are filed before the Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court. 

So far, Ombudsman prosecutors have filed two batches of criminal charges against those allegedly involved in the flood control mess. 

These are the malversation and graft charges against resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and 16 others over the P289 million substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro, which were filed before the Sandiganbayan.

Meanwhile, the malversation and graft charges against contractor Sarah Discaya and several others over the P96.5 million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental were lodged before the Digos Regional Trial Court in Digos City, Davao del Sur. — JMA, GMA Integrated News