THE Department of Justice-National Prosecution Service (DOJ-NPS) has turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman five more cases against officials from the Bulacan’s First District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways and several contractors in connection with alleged ghost flood-control projects.
At a press briefing Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said the cases involve malversation under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code, falsification by public officers under Article 171 of the RPC, perjury under Article 183 of the RPC, and Section 3e of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Fadullon said the cases were referred to the Ombudsman for further evaluation after the DOJ found sufficient evidence to proceed with the preliminary investigation.
‘With the turnover of these cases we will just await instructions from the Office of the Ombudsman as to whether or not we can proceed with the preliminary investigation of these cases,’ Fadullon said.
Fadullon assured the public that there would be more cases to be turned over to the Ombudsman but asked for patience as there are processes to follow to ensure strong cases against those involved in the multi-billion anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects.
‘It doesn’t mean that this ends here. There are more to come, but there is what we call a process that needs to be done wherein we make sure that there is evidence before filing a case,’ Fadullon said.
Former Justice Secretary and now Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla also said that more pieces of evidence are still being gathered with regard to the alleged participation of high-ranking government officials and lawmakers in the latest corruption scandal.
It can be recalled that on September 29, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) turned over an interim report to the Ombudsman recommending the prosecution of resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and 17 other individuals for criminal and administrative charges in connection with the P289.5 million anomalous flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, implemented by the DPWH.
Among the charges recommended against Co and other DPWH officials were violation of the provisions of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) in relation to Article 171 of the RPC or falsification of public documents by a public officer.
ICI recommendation
THE ICI also recommended the filing of administrative charges against the said individuals for violation of Sections 4(a), 7 (a) and (b) of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and other possible violations of Civil Service Rules and Regulations.
The ICI told the Ombudsman that it would submit further evidence in support of its recommendation within 15 days.
The recommendation stemmed from the inspection conducted by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon of the project that was undertaken by Sunwest, Inc., the construction company being linked to the family of Co.
The project involves the construction of a road dike along Mag-Asawang Tubig River.
The Commission on Audit has also submitted five fraud audit reports to the Ombudsman covering five anomalous flood-control projects amounting to P341 million which also involves Bulacan’s first district engineering office.
The fraud audit report covers flood-control projects undertaken by three construction firms identified as Wawao Builders,St. Timothy Construction Corporation and SYMS Construction Trading.
Based on the reports, the flood control projects were listed as complete but were found to be inexistent, incomplete, substandard and lacking required documents.
The DPWH has also charged more than 20 public works officials, personnel and private contractors before the Ombudsman with graft and malversation of public funds for their alleged involvement in the multi-billion anomalous flood control projects in the country.
The respondents were specifically charged with violation of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code or Malversation of Public Funds in relation to Articles 171 of the Revised Penal Code; and Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.
The subject of the complaint were five flood control-projects in Bulacan such as the construction of slope protection in barangay Namayan, Malolos City; construction of pumping station and flood gate in barangay Atlag, Malolos; construction of pumping station and flood gate in barangay Sto. Rosario, Hagonoy; construction of flood control structure in Maycapiz-Talilip River; and construction of reinforced concrete river wall in Purok 4, barangay Piel, Baliuag City.
The complaint said the DPWH’s Internal Audit Service (IAS) inspection conducted from August 13 to August 20, 2025 revealed a ‘consistent pattern of fraudulent misrepresentation falsification, collusion and blatant disregard’ of Commission on Audit regulations across multiple contracts in order to effect the release of payments to the contractors despite non-performance or insufficient performance of the project.
Romualdez appears at ICI
AS he testified before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez maintained that he had nothing to hide and was ready to fully cooperate in uncovering the truth behind the allegations related to the national budget process.
‘I am here to cooperate fully and help uncover the truth. I have nothing to hide, and there is nothing that should be hidden,’ Romualdez said.
He clarified that although he was not part of the bicameral conference committee that finalized the budget, he was willing to share any information that could help shed light on the issues being investigated.
‘While I was not part of the bicameral conference committee, whatever I know, I will share,’ Romualdez said.
‘My purpose is to clarify the issues and share whatever information I can that may help the Commission in its work.’
The Leyte lawmaker stressed that his appearance before the ICI reflected his long-standing belief in transparency and accountability, adding that his only goal was to help ensure that the truth prevails.
‘I have always believed in transparency and accountability, and that’s why I am here today-to do my part in ensuring that the truth comes out,’ he stated.
Romualdez emphasized that he had no hesitation about facing the inquiry, stressing that he would cooperate in every way possible to hasten the proceedings.
‘I am willing to do anything that will help speed up the investigation, because like every Filipino, I want the truth to be established without delay,’ he said.
‘At the end of the day, it is evidence-not political noise or unfounded accusations-that will reveal what really happened,’ Romualdez said.