ICI seeks plunder, graft raps vs Romualdez, Co

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Friday, Nov. 21, referred to the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) cases for possible plunder, graft, and indirect bribery against former House speaker Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co in relation to anomalous flood control projects.

- By JOSEPH PEDRAJAS

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the cases involved more than P100 billion worth of flood control projects secured by Co’s Sunwest and Hi-Tone construction firms from 2016 to 2025.

“In this referral, it’s only former speaker, Martin Romualdez and former congressman Zaldy Co,” the DPWH secretary said.

Dizon deferred to the Ombudsman for its investigation when asked about Co and Romualdez’s involvement in the anomalous flood control projects. He said DPWH and ICI were merely referring cases for the Ombudsman’s own investigation and eventual filing of charges.

Ombudsman: We will follow evidence" Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said his office "will follow the evidence" in the referral given by the ICI and the DPWH.

"We will have to evaluate it. We have to look at the contents of the recommendation and the documents so we will know how to act on the matter. Everything is evidencebased. We cannot file cases without evidence," Remulla said on the sidelines of the Pilipinas Conference 2025 by Stratbase in Makati City.

Remulla said his office will evaluate the reports first, and then conduct a fact-finding investigation if the need arises before passing it on to preliminary investigation.

"If the case lacks sufficient evidence, we need a case build-up before we can conduct a preliminary investigation," he said.

The Ombudsman said the case can range from a few days to a few months, and it will all depend on the evidence they can gather.

He admitted that he has not seen the reports that have been filed, and he can only act on it on Monday as he has prior commitments on Friday, Nov. 21.

Based on collection of facts Dizon, in a joint press conference with ICI member Babes Singson, said the fresh referral case prepared by the DPWH was based on the "collection of facts" during the ICI hearings as well as the sworn affidavits gathered from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.