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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman to start preliminary probe this week on at least six cases in anomalous flood control projects

Ombudsman to start preliminary probe this week on at least six cases in anomalous flood control projects

Published Oct 20, 2025 04:57 pm
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the preliminary investigation on at least six cases involving anomalous flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro and Bulacan will start this week.
The preliminary investigation will determine if the cases will be filed before the Sandiganbayan, a specialized court that handles criminal offenses committed by government officials in relation to their official functions.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) had submitted before the Ombudsman its findings on the questionable P289.5 million flood control projects in Naujuan, Oriental Mindoro that were implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region IV-B through contractor Sunwest, Inc. in 2024.
The 32-page ICI report focused on Contract ID No. 24E00047 of the DPWH with Sunwest, a company known for being founded by the now resigned Ako Bicol Partylist congressman Elizaldy "Zaldy" Co.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, on the other hand, has filed graft and malversation through falsification of public documents charges against several officials of the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) and five private contractors for their involvement in the ghost and substandard flood-control projects.
Remulla said his office needs "just another day of evaluation" before the complaints will be passed on for preliminary investigation and "before we form panels that will conduct the preliminary investigation" this week.
Meanwhile, Remulla revealed that his office now has a DPWH partner who will help with the documentary requirements involved in the cases.
Citing an example, Remulla said that the DPWH undersecretary will help by providing the payment vouchers that will prove that the flood-control projects were paid even if these were not completed yet.
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