MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has formally ordered Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero to answer allegations linking him to the country’s controversial flood control projects, signaling that the anti-graft body’s investigation has advanced to the preliminary investigation stage.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano confirmed that Escudero has already been directed to file a counter-affidavit as prosecutors continue building criminal cases tied to allegedly anomalous flood control projects.
“Nasa preliminary investigation stage na po. There was an order to submit a counter affidavit, na-receive ng opisina ni Chiz Escudero,” Clavano said in an interview over Super Radyo dzBB AM radio.
Clavano said the investigating panel is now awaiting Escudero’s response before moving forward with the proceedings.
“I believe ‘yung panel po natin ay naghihintay na lang sa kanyang counter affidavit para umusad na po,” he said.
The Ombudsman official also revealed that the investigation involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has likewise progressed to preliminary investigation.
“The one that has reached preliminary investigation involving Congressman Romualdez is the money laundering case,” Clavano said.
Both Escudero and Romualdez have repeatedly denied involvement in allegedly anomalous flood control projects.
Earlier, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed that the anti-graft body was conducting criminal case buildup against Escudero and Romualdez over the flood control controversy, which has drawn national attention amid allegations of ghost and substandard infrastructure projects.
Since Remulla assumed office in October 2025, the Ombudsman has already filed three batches of criminal complaints linked to questionable flood control projects across the country.
Among the cases filed were malversation and graft complaints against resigned Ako Bicol party-list congressman Zaldy Co and at least 15 others over a P289-million allegedly substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.
The Ombudsman also filed charges against contractor Sarah Discaya and several others over an alleged P96.5-million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental.
Another batch of complaints involved former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., former Department of Public Works and Highways official Brice Hernandez, and five others over an alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan./PN
