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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Let Ombudsman reveal identities of those involved in flood control mess — Malacañang

Let Ombudsman reveal identities of those involved in flood control mess — Malacañang

Published Mar 23, 2026 12:43 pm  |  Updated Mar 23, 2026 01:26 pm
Workers apply concrete and conduct plastering on a P96-million flood control structure along the Angat River in Barangay Sipat, Plaridel, Bulacan on Sept. 8, 2025. The flood mitigation project was tagged a “ghost project” after an inspection revealed that, despite being declared completed in 2024, the structure remained largely unfinished. Santi San Juan / MANILA BULLETIN)
Workers apply concrete and conduct plastering on a P96-million flood control structure along the Angat River in Barangay Sipat, Plaridel, Bulacan on Sept. 8, 2025. The flood mitigation project was tagged a “ghost project” after an inspection revealed that, despite being declared completed in 2024, the structure remained largely unfinished. Santi San Juan / MANILA BULLETIN)
Malacañang is letting the Office of the Ombudsman reveal individuals who are responsible for the corruption in the anomalous flood control projects.
Palace Press Office Claire Castro on Monday, March 23, distanced Malacañang from Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre's earlier pronouncement that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), in its report submitted to the House of Representatives, cleared former House Speaker Martin Romualdez of any liability from the massive corruption that hit the nation.
What Castro instead replied to a query from reporters was that the recommendations by the ICI were being submitted to the Ombudsman.
"So, hahayaan na lang po natin ang Ombudsman na mag-reveal nito, para po bilang respeto," Castro said in a press briefing.
"Kung matatanong din po ang ICI, mas maganda po sa ICI mismo manggaling kung ang kanilang rekomendasyon (If we can ask ICI, then it's better to ask ICI regarding its recommendation)," she added.
On the other hand, reporters have also asked for confirmation from ICI regarding its clearing of Romualdez' liability. It has yet to respond.
Castro said the ICI has an allocated budget until Dec. 31, 2026. And if it needs something to spend on for the winding up of its operations, it can tap into its existing funds.
"Ang pondo na hindi po nagamit, ibabalik po ito sa unappropriated surplus of the general funds sa National Treasury po (The unused funds will go to the unappropriated surplus of the National Treasury)," she said.

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Claire Castro ICI Ombudsman Martin Romualdez
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