Ombudsman Remulla gets Senate flood report

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla —FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday said it has received the Senate blue ribbon committee report on its partial findings on the flood control scam, which includes a recommendation that some lawmakers undergo preliminary investigation for the possible filing of charges.

“I am confirming receipt of the transmittal of the partial committee report,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said in a statement, adding that the report came from the office of Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

“The relevant information will be cascaded to the teams in charge of the different flood control cases for their perusal and use, if necessary,” he added.

READ: Corruption with no mastermind: Lacson clarifies blue ribbon committee findings

Until Monday, when 13 senators led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano staged a coup that led to the ouster of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Lacson headed the blue ribbon committee, which conducted an inquiry into the corruption scandal.

READ: Lacson’s report lists several solons in ‘menu’ of possible charges

Lacson, however, assured the public that the committee’s findings would not go to waste amid the leadership change.

“First of all, we already contributed to the preliminary investigation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Office of the Ombudsman through testimonial and documentary evidence,” he said in a statement.

Lacson also noted that since he already disclosed the contents of the Chairman’s Progress Report in a privilege speech on May 5, the updated findings have become part of public record and may now be shared with the DOJ and Ombudsman, which can use the information for their case-building efforts.

Recommendation

The partial committee report contains the names of incumbent Senators Francis Escudero, Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, along with former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and former House appropriations committee chair Rep. Elizaldy Co.

They were recommended to undergo either a preliminary or fact-finding investigation, or case buildup for possible violations of direct bribery, antigraft and corrupt practices and even plunder.

Revilla has been jailed since January on malversation charges in connection with an alleged “ghost” flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, while Co, who was linked to supposedly questionable fund insertions for flood control projects in the national budget, remains at large.

Villanueva and Estrada earlier said they were not “bothered” by the blue ribbon recommendations, while Romualdez has denied any involvement in the scheme.

Escudero and Romualdez headed the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, under the 19th Congress. They were reelected under the 20th Congress, but Escudero was ousted as Senate President on Sept. 8, 2025, while Romualdez stepped down from the speakership nine days later after their names were tagged in the flood control mess. —WITH A REPORT FROM TINA G. SANTOS