Metro Manila, Philippines – The Ombudsman is looking into the names mentioned by former House appropriations chairman Zaldy Co in the flood control scandal, including a possible conspiracy to commit plunder by three undersecretaries.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Nov. 19, Ombudsman Boying Remulla said his office will begin reviewing allegations of Co even though they were not sworn statements.
He said this may cover President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was tagged by Co as mastermind of the alleged P100 billion insertion in the 2025 budget.
Remulla, however, questioned Co’s implication of the chief executive.
“We have to look if it’s possible na nangyari yun,” said Remulla if the review will reach the president. “Illogical because iyon nga [as I’ve said] it’s the president’s budget. They prepared it prior to giving it to Congress. Why would you now do something like that?”
The ombudsman will also look into the possible liability of former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, whom Co accused of having direct knowledge of the supposed budget insertion.
Remulla said three undersecretaries will also be investigated for possible conspiracy to commit plunder: former Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, and former Presidential Legislative Liaison Office chief Adrian Bersamin, grand nephew of resigned Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Ping Lacson earlier said Bernardo told him that Bersamin and Olaivar misrepresented the president on the budget insertions and kickbacks.
“That’s money laundering already. That’s already a major offense which is being committed kasi nga nakasakay na sa armored van ang pera sa kanyang narration [because the money was loaded onto an armored van in his narration],” Remulla said, pertaining to Bernardo.
Threats claims ‘ridiculous’
Meanwhile, the ombudsman also downplayed Co’s fears of threats to his life at home.
“Kalokohan iyan [That’s ridiculous]. He can buy the best security needed and we can give him protection,” Remulla said.
He also urged Co to come home and file his allegations under oath.
The former lawmaker has been out of the country since the flood control scandal blew up, skipping investigations into the anomalous flood control deals.
Co is facing graft and a non-bailable malversation case, along with other public works officials and Sunwest Inc. before the Sandiganbayan, in connection with a P290 million substandard road dike in Oriental Mindoro.
Discayas, senator case status
In a related development, Remulla said the ombudsman may file charges with the anti-graft court next against contractor-couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya on Friday, Nov. 21, or within next week.
He said the preliminary investigation on the three cases including the Discayas are submitted for resolution.
The ombudsman also said the preliminary investigation in the case recommendation against implicated senators will soon begin, which will trigger a subpoena possibly next week.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure earlier asked the ombudsman to file cases against senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva over alleged budget insertions and kickbacks from flood control deals.
ICI Chairman Andres Reyes said the commission is reevaluating the possible case referral against more senators in light of the affidavit of Bernardo, which implicated more lawmakers in the flood control mess.
