President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will forward all information it gathered on alleged irregularities in flood control projects to the Office of the Ombudsman. The directive was released in a video posted Friday morning, November 21.
Marcos said the ICI and the Department of Public Works and Highways have finished collecting documents and testimonies related to the questioned projects. He added that these materials will now be placed under the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction for an independent review.
In his message, the President noted that the findings include information involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Rep. Zaldy Co.
He stated “Ito ay tungkol sa mga impormasyon ng dating Speaker Martin Romualdez at saka ni Zaldy Co.”
Marcos said potential charges could follow if investigators determine that the evidence warrants legal action. He said: “Pag nakita lahat ng ebidensya, baka mag-file ng kaso ng plunder o anti-graft o indirect bribery.”
The President emphasized that the Ombudsman should lead the inquiry without political interference. His Tagalog line read: “Malakas naman ang loob natin na yung Ombudsman ang ginagawa lamang ay sumusunod sa ebidensya, at kung saan tayo dinadala ng ebidensya, doon pupunta ang ating imbestigasyon.”
Marcos did not provide further details on the timeline or scope of the review. His directive shifts the matter from fact-finding to a formal legal investigation handled by the country’s anti-corruption office.
