Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Monday his office will start with its preliminary investigation into allegations of corruption covering flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro and Bulacan this week.
The cases pertained to the six official complaints on ghost and substandard infrastructure projects turned over by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to the Ombudsman last October 14.
On September 20, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) submitted its first report to the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged anomalous P289.5-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
In a 32-page report, the ICI urged the Ombudsman to determine what charges must be filed against 18 public officials, including Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, in connection with the questionable Oriental Mindoro projects.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 4-B (Mimaropa) implemented the project through contractor Sunwest, Inc. to construct a road dike along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River.
Cases of malversation, falsification by public officers, perjury and violations of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, were also among the complaints leveled against officials of the DPWH district office and its contractors in Bulacan.
The preliminary investigation shall determine if there is probable cause to indict those accused before filing the appropriate cases with the Sandiganbayan.
Remulla said he needs “just another day of evaluation” before the complaints could be passed on for preliminary investigation and “before we form panels that will conduct the preliminary investigation” this week.
