The Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday filed graft and malversation cases against former Ako-Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Region 4B, and the board of directors of Sunwest Corp. over an alleged anomalous P289.5-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said this is the first case lodged before the Sandiganbayan in connection to several botched, substandard, and even “ghost” flood control projects across the country.
“After two months of investigation, gathering of evidence, and sifting through testimonies of witnesses, the Office of the Ombudsman announces today that we have issued a Resolution finding probable cause to file criminal charges in connection with serious irregularities uncovered in a major flood-control project in Oriental Mindoro,” he said.
“These findings point to a scheme that resulted in unwarranted benefits, technical falsification, and the misuse of public funds.”
“This is the first of many cases,” Clavano added.
Clavano said the Ombudsman recommended no bail for the malversation charge.
The project, funded under the 2024 budget, involves the construction of a road dike along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
The charges filed before the Sandiganbayan covered malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The complaint was filed before the Ombudsman by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure on September 29, 2025.
“The Office of the Ombudsman assures the Filipino people that we will pursue this case firmly, independently and without fear or favor. Public funds were meant to protect communities from flooding, not to enrich officials or private contractors,” Clavano said.
Over the weekend, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said arrest warrants against Senators Francis Escudero, Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, as well as former senators Bong Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay may be out by Dec. 15.
In an interview with Facts First, Remulla said Co, former special envoy to China Maynard Ngu, and more than 20 members of the House of Representatives will also be charged in the initial batch of cases.
He said his office is also investigating Sen. Mark Villar as well as former senators Sonny Angara, now Education secretary, and Grace Poe.
Incorporators of various private contractors, including spouses Curlee and Sara Discaya, will also be charged.
Remulla explained that Revilla, Binay and Estrada were mentioned in the signed affidavit of former Public Works Usec. Roberto Bernardo, while Villanueva was in the affidavit of former DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara.
Bernardo has already applied to become state witness amid the probe on anomalous flood control projects, Independent Commission for Infrastructure executive director Brian Hosaka said.
Bernardo also mentioned in his affidavit Escudero, Co, Poe, Angara, Villar, and Ngu.
Meanwhile, Speaker Faustino Dy III on Tuesday reiterated his call for Co to return to the country and face the investigation into the flood control mess.
“A video from another country is not enough. When the allegations are serious, the stand must be even stronger. He must appear, take an oath, and present evidence to authorities like the Independent Commission for Infrastructure,” Dy said.
The Speaker said he is willing to coordinate with concerned government agencies if Co needs security assistance while providing testimonies for the probe.
“This is the clear difference: While others have been forthcoming in clarifying, former Rep. Co has been evasive. Instead of helping to clarify, he is further adding to the public’s confusion,” he said.
“That is why this is my call to former Rep. Co: Go home and face the people,” Dy added.
