The Office of the Ombudsman is conducting case build-ups against several high-profile officials linked to the flood control controversy.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed this when asked about the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) recommendation to pursue cases against Senator Francis Escudero, former Senator Nancy Binay, Senator Mark Villar, and former Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares.
“We are doing the case build-up, we’re doing preliminary work, we are doing everything that needs to be done,” Remulla said.
He declined to elaborate on Escudero’s case, saying details could “prejudice our case.”
Remulla said the evidence his office received regarding Binay’s alleged involvement remains under “evaluation and case build-up.”
He stressed that the Ombudsman is proceeding carefully, noting that “haste makes waste.”
“A case might get filed hastily and then dismissed later; it’s like creating your anti-virus,” Remulla said.
Remulla confirmed receiving evidence related to Villar’s actions both as DPWH secretary and as a legislator.
He said around eight teams are now working on the cases, with more to be formed next year.
The ICI referrals were based on affidavits and testimonies from former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on September 25.