Remulla: Ombudsman building case vs. Escudero, Binay

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman is conducting case build-ups against several high-profile officials linked to the flood control controversy, including Senator Francis Escudero and former Senator Nancy Binay.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed this when asked about the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) recommendation to conduct case build-ups against Escudero, Binay, Senator Mark Villar, and former Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares “because of the gravity of the allegations.”

“We are doing the case build-up, we’re doing preliminary work, we are doing everything that needs to be done. So I’d rather stop there regarding his (Escudero) case,” Remulla said in an interview aired on ANC’s Headstart on Monday.

“Every day we are receiving information, and I cannot speak about details because it would prejudice our case,” he added.

READ: Revilla may face plunder in new ICI case recommendation

Regarding Binay, Remulla said the evidence his office has received on her alleged involvement in the flood control scandal is still undergoing “evaluation and case build-up.”

He explained that the Ombudsman is taking a careful approach and is not in a hurry to file cases, noting that “haste makes waste.”

“A case might get filed hastily and then dismissed later; it’s like creating your anti-virus,” Remulla said.

In Villar’s case, Remulla confirmed that the Ombudsman has received evidence related to the flood control controversy during the senator’s time as Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary and as a legislator.

Remulla said around eight teams are already working on the cases, with more expected to be organized in the coming year.

Escudero and Binay have both denied the allegations against them. Binay maintained that she has no involvement in flood control projects and no Senate staff capable of carrying out the alleged schemes, while Villar described the allegations against him as “baseless and unsupported by any evidence.”

Poe has also denied the allegations, stressing that she has never been involved in corruption.

The ICI’s referrals were based on affidavits and testimonies given by former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on alleged corruption in infrastructure deals on September 25. /mcm