Metro Manila, Philippines – Eight members of the House of Representatives were recommended to the ombudsman to face criminal and administrative charges, including plunder, for owning or having ties to construction companies that bagged public works projects as cases pile up on the multibillion-peso flood fund scam.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) submitted a joint referral on Wednesday, Nov. 26, against so-called “cong-tractors,” or lawmakers, their kin, and partners who secured government contracts in two administrations, or from 2016 to 2024.
These are:
+Former AKO BICOL party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (FS Co. Builders Supply);
+Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola (Newington Builders, Inc., Lourel Development Corporation, and S-Ang General Construction & Trading Inc.);
+Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. James Ang Jr. (IBC International Builders Corporation and Allencon Development Corporation);
+Pusong Pinoy party-list Rep. Jernie Nisay (for JVN Construction and Trading);
+Bulacan 2nd district Rep. Augustina Pancho (C.M. Pancho Construction Inc.);
+Cagayan 3rd district Rep. Joseph Lara (JLL Pulsar Construction Corporation);
+Surigao del Norte 1st district Rep. Francisco Matugas (Boometrix Development Corporation); and
+Tarlac 3rd district Rep. Noel Rivera (3-G Construction & Development Corporation).
The recommended charges also include graft, direct bribery, and violations of procurement law and the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials.
Of the lawmakers, Co is facing a graft and non-bailable malversation charge with the Sandiganbayan over a P290-million substandard road dike in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, contracted by Sunwest Inc. of which he is said to be a beneficial owner.
“Kasama po sa mga ebidensyang sinubmit namin ay records galing sa Securities and Exchange Commission tungkol sa iba’t ibang kumpanya na konektado sa mga kongresista. Doon po nag-establish yung direktang pagma-may-ari ng mga indibidwal,” Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said in a joint briefing, after submitting 21 boxes of evidence.
[Translation: Included in the evidence we submitted were records from the Securities and Exchange Commission about the companies connected to these House members. That’s how we established their direct link to these individuals.]
ICI Chairman Andres Reyes said lawmakers are “barred from having a financial interest directly or indirectly in any government contract, franchise or special privilege during their term of office.”
“Dapat mahinto na itong kultura ng nagpapakontrata sa Kongreso. This practice should have ended decades ago,” the ICI chief said.
[Translation: This culture where Congress members bag government contracts must end. This practice should have ended decades ago.]
In separate statements, Lara and Ang said they are ready to face the case recommendations at a proper forum.
Others have yet to issue statements.
Conflict of interest
Meanwhile, Ombudsman Boying Remulla said up to 15 House members may be liable for conflict of interest on infrastructure projects.
He said 10 percent of the chamber’s members may be tied to the flood control mess.
“These things will hurt a lot… our law is full of statutes that will make people accountable and pay the price for their misdeeds,” Remulla said, noting that he will speak to House Speaker Bojie Dy.
The ombudsman said he has been looking at the cases of Gardiola and Pancho even ahead of the ICI and DPWH submissions.
Meanwhile, Remulla said a number of senators may have conflict of interest issues as well, but he stopped short of naming names.
The ombudsman said he has requested the Bureau of Immigration a foreign travel restriction order against 77 people, including senators, House members, contractors, and other private individuals in the flood control mess.
