Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said he has sent a letter to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to prevent the travel abroad of 77 individuals, including members of Congress, who are under investigations in the “anomalous” flood control project.

In a press conference, Remulla, however, did not name those against whom foreign travel restriction orders should be issued by the BI.

"We've been studying the possibilities of keeping these people in the country," he said. "It is within the power of the Ombudsman to tell them not to leave the country," he added.

When pressed for the government positions of those barred from travelling abroad, Remulla said the list includes senators, congressmen, and contractors.

He did not reveal how many are senators and congressmen.

Remulla said that since they have to answer for their alleged involvement in the flood control scam, “they should not be travelling and leaving this jurisdiction."

He pointed out: "When we join the government, we surrender the right to travel because every time we travel, we have to get a travel authority."

During the same conference with journalists, Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Chairman Andres Reyes Jr. said they will also ask the BI to issue immigration lookout bulletin orders against seven congressmen they recommended for prosecution.

Aside from resigned congressman and fugitive from justice Zaldy Co who is still abroad, also referred for prosecution by the ICI were Reps. Augustina Dominique Pancho, Bulacan 2nd District; Joseph Lara, Cagayan 3rd District; Francisco Matugas, Surigao Del Norte 1st District; and Noel Rivera, Tarlac 3rd District; and Party-list Reps. Edwin Gardiola of CWS; James Ang Jr. of Uswag Ilonggo; and Jernie Jett Nisay of Pusong Pinoy.

Based on the evidence gathered by the ICI, the seven members of Congress appeared to have committed violations of the laws, Reyes, a retired Supreme Court associate justice, said.