15 more flood raps to be filed by yearend

Vowing a relentless crackdown on the flood control scam, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced plans to lodge 14 to 15 more cases tied to the corruption scandal before the year ends.

- By ELIZABETH MARCELO

In an interview after the Senate budget hearing on Friday, Remulla said many flood control cases remain under preliminary investigation, with several nearing completion.

"There will be more charges filed... There are at least about 15 cases right now," he said, adding that they could be filed before year-end.

Remulla, however, declined to give a timeline on possible charges against former House speaker Martin Romualdez, saying the Office of the Ombudsman would first evaluate the joint referral report submitted Friday by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

"Everything should be evidence-based. We don't want to file weak cases. The cases have to be properly vetted and prepared," he said.