MANILA, Philippines – Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday expressed satisfaction over the Office of the Ombudsman's handling of the controversial flood control scandal with the filing of cases against agency officials and arrest and detention of "big fish."
Without naming names, Dizon said Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla was set to file complaints against a high government personality in connection with the controversy while more officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been charged in court.
Remulla said on Monday that plunder and graft charges would be filed against ex-speaker Martin Romualdez, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s cousin, saying the cases were ready for preliminary investigation.
“There were these small fish who were charged and detained and also big fish who were already in detention in connection with the alleged flood control anomalies and we all know who they are,” the DPWH chief said.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and his close friend, ex-senator Bong Revilla, have been committed to the Quezon City jail after the Ombudsman filed plunder cases against them over their alleged involvement in the flood control scam, which they denied.
Dizon said he trusted the office, especially in its direction in handling the controversial issue as indicated by its way of ensuring that the evidence against those involved would be beyond question before filing the case at the Sandiganbayan.
“I know the people are waiting and expecting but then let’s wait for what the Ombudsman would do more in the coming days,” he said.
“Let us also wait for the President as to what he would say in his SONA (State-of-the-Nation Address) on Monday next week. I know the Filipino people are very eager and excited,” he added.
When the former Department of Transportation secretary was appointed as Manuel Bonoan’s replacement in September last year, Marcos ordered him to root out corruption and end "ghost projects" in the agency.
