Remulla: DOJ to file cases against proponents of ghost, substandard flood control projects
At A Glance
- Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla assured senators that the agency will pursue the filing of cases against those involved in the delivery of "ghost" and substandard flood control projects soon.
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla assured senators that the agency will pursue the filing of cases against those involved in the delivery of “ghost” and substandard flood control projects soon.
“We had a meeting at the DOJ about the cases that we will be filing very soon on this matter. And these are the ghost projects. We will file that first,” Remulla said in response to a query of Sen. Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV.
“The (severely) substandard (projects) will come next,” he said of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) questionable projects.
Nevertheless, Remulla said the DOJ is doing its best to strengthen the conspiracy angle when preparing the cases.
“Because this is like a conspiracy between some people from the DPWH, contractors and legislators. And the probably some other people also,” he pointed out.
The DOJ chief also assured that the justice department will do its best to expedite the filing of cases after Aquino noted that President Marcos mentioned the flood control issue during his State of the Nation Address last July 28.
“It’s already September, almost two months since. The people are looking for solutions to this issue. Can we get a commitment that the DOJ will make this a priority?” Aquino asked.
“We make that commitment to the Filipino people. Hindi namin pababayaan ang kaso ito at (We will not neglect this case and) we will pursue it to the very end. Hindi ho kami matututulog dito (We will not sleep on it),” the DOJ secretary said.
“Like what we do with the other cases, talagang minamatyag at tinatiyaga po natin ang bawat araw para ma-build up namin ang cases (We are really monitoring and patiently waiting every day so that we can build up the cases),” he said.
“Ang due process po will make us, will give us the earliest window at 40 days to 60 days…40 would be the fastest. And 60, would be safe,” added Remulla.
The secretary also said some of the cases filed, especially the ones that will be filed by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, will go straight to the Office of the Ombudsman for disposition.
Moreover, he said, the DOJ is ready to work closely with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) which President Marcos has tasked to look into the anomalies in flood control projects and other infrastructure programs.