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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman: Flood-control complaint vs Escudero may reach court in 2–3 weeks

Ombudsman: Flood-control complaint vs Escudero may reach court in 2–3 weeks

Published Jun 29, 2026 07:02 pm

At A Glance

  • During a press briefing, the Ombudsman said the complaint has already reached the preliminary investigation stage and is among the plunder complaints the Ombudsman is preparing for filing.
(MB FILE PHOTO/CHIZ ESCUDERO FACEBOOK PAGE)
(MB FILE PHOTO/CHIZ ESCUDERO FACEBOOK PAGE)
The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) may bring the complaint involving Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero over alleged irregularities in flood-control projects before the courts within the next two to three weeks, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said on Monday, June 29.
During a press briefing, the Ombudsman said the complaint has already reached the preliminary investigation stage and is among the plunder complaints the Ombudsman is preparing for filing.
“Malapit na, malapit na. Isa ’yan sa inaayos namin na kasabay ng ibang kasong plunder na aming ipa-file within the next few weeks, maybe it will take two to three weeks more for us to file cases in the courts and for preliminary investigation. Naka-PI na ’yun (It’s close, it’s close. That is one of the matters we are preparing together with other plunder cases that we will file within the next few weeks. Maybe it will take two to three more weeks for us to file cases in the courts and for preliminary investigation. That one is already under preliminary investigation),” he said when asked about the status of the complaint against Escudero.
Remulla did not disclose additional details regarding the allegations against Escudero or specify the charges that may eventually be filed.
On May 21, the Ombudsman said it ordered Escudero to submit his counter-affidavit in response to allegations linking him to the flood-control controversy, confirming at the time that the complaint had already reached the preliminary investigation stage.
The complaint stemmed from allegations that Escudero was involved in irregularities surrounding government flood-control projects. The Ombudsman has previously said the investigation centers on alleged plunder, graft, and bribery tied to the preparation and implementation of infrastructure projects.
In the same briefing, Remulla also said the Ombudsman is set to file a plunder case against Senator Rodante Marcoleta before the Sandiganbayan this week, while confirming that the complaint involving Senator Joel Villanueva over alleged irregularities in flood-control projects is already under preliminary investigation.

Related Tags

Ombudsman Francis Escudero flood-control projects plunder preliminary investigation Jesus Crispin Remulla government corruption Rodante Marcoleta Joel Villanueva Philippine politics
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