MANILA – The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have formally asked the Office of the Ombudsman to pursue plunder, graft, and bribery cases against Leyte congressman and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol party-list congressman Zaldy Co in connection with alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
ICI commissioner Rogelio “Babes” Singson and DPWH secretary Vince Dizon personally delivered several boxes of documents to the Ombudsman on Friday as part of the two agencies’ joint referral.
According to Dizon, the submission covers findings involving roughly ₱100 billion in government projects awarded to Sunwest Corporation and Hi Tone Construction — firms linked to Co — over a period spanning 2016 to 2025.
“Hindi namin sasabihing recommended kung wala kaming nakikitang basehan,” he said, stressing that the charges were endorsed only after the two agencies found sufficient grounds.
Dizon also noted that the referral incorporates sworn statements gathered during the Senate blue ribbon committee’s inquiry into alleged irregularities in flood control contracts.
“Isinama din po namin ‘yung sworn testimonies… specifically the testimony of Sgt. Orly Guteza because these are sworn testimonies under oath,” he added.
The DPWH chief clarified that Co’s widely circulated video statements posted on social media were not part of the evidence package since they were not made under oath.
“Hindi namin isinama… hindi po namin ‘yun pwedeng isama,” he said.
Dizon urged Co to return to the country to address the allegations he previously aired online.
“Umuwi na siya,” he said.
Singson, for his part, emphasized that public officials cannot simply invoke regularity to shield themselves from accountability.
“Hindi puwedeng maghugas kamay ang officials… Walang pumilit sa kanila,” he said, citing the oath of office that binds officials to uphold the law. “Tanggapin nila na kailangan silang sumunod sa mga batas… hindi puwedeng hugas kamay dito.”
Dizon later told reporters that the evidence submitted is comprehensive.
“Kami ay naniniwala na malaki ang basehan ng mga facts and evidence… walang hearsay,” he said.
The Ombudsman is expected to conduct further review and case build-up. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said charges related to the flood control controversy may be filed against Romualdez within six to nine months.
Earlier this week, the Ombudsman lodged corruption and malversation cases against Co, several DPWH Region 4B officials, and Sunwest executives — the first batch of criminal complaints tied to the alleged kickback scheme.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also announced that plunder and bribery complaints may follow based on findings submitted by the ICI and DPWH.
“Lahat ng nakuha nila na impormasyon ay i-rerefer… Ito ay tungkol sa mga impormasyon ng dating Speaker Martin Romualdez at tsaka ni Zaldy Co,” he said in a video statement./PN
