Remulla seeks plunder reforms amid Zaldy Co, DPWH officials looming charges

Metro Manila, Philippines – Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday called for reforms to the plunder law as his office prepares to file criminal charges against former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and a number of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials in an alleged multimillion-peso flood control corruption scheme.

The charges stemmed from the P289-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, which authorities flagged as substandard or in some cases non-existent. Remulla said cases could be filed within the next two weeks.

“Mauunang maifa-file ang kaso ni Zaldy Co at ‘yung mga opisyal ng DPWH Region 4B, pati na ang mga opisyal ng Sunwest,” Remulla said, referring to the contractor involved.

[Translation: The cases of Zaldy Co and the DPWH Region 4B officials, including the Sunwest contractor, will be filed first.]

When asked about a timeline, Remulla added if not this week, maybe next week.

He said the plunder law needs reforms to allow an effective prosecution process. 

“Ang plunder kasi, hindi namin pinapaboran na gamitin yung decision ng Korte Suprema. Pahirap, kailangan ng legal reform, kailangan ma-amendahan ang batas sa plunder para madali maisampa sa korte,” he said.

[Translation: Regarding plunder, we do not favor relying solely on Supreme Court decisions. It is difficult; legal reform is needed, the law must be amended so that cases can be filed more easily in court.]

He noted the rarity of convictions.

“Sa dami-dami ng kasong isinumaba pa sa plunder, isa lang ata ang na-convict dyan,” Remulla said.

[Translation: Out of the many plunder cases filed, I think only one has resulted in a conviction.] 

The upcoming charges against Co and DPWH officials followed recommendations by the Palace-created Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which suggested filing graft, malversation, and falsification charges over the P289.5-million road dike project along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River.

“These circumstances may indicate lapses in project verification. Certifications by DPWH officials attesting to compliance with specifications and workmanship thus appear questionable and require further investigation,” the ICI said in its interim report.

Remulla said the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice are conducting parallel investigations on similar flood control projects, signaling a broader crackdown on corruption in government infrastructure programs.