Photo courtesy of the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Office of the Ombudsman is set to file charges on Thursday against key figures linked to alleged irregularities in flood control projects in Bulacan, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said on Wednesday.
Dizon said additional cases were being prepared and confirmed that a major respondent would be included in the Bulacan filing, signaling a widening crackdown on the controversy.
He added that the complaints would be lodged before the Regional Trial Court in Malolos, though he declined to disclose further details ahead of the filing.
The official expressed hope that those involved would take the development as a warning, stressing that the administration remains firm in pursuing accountability for those implicated.
Authorities have been investigating the flood control program since last year, with several prominent officials and personalities drawn into the probe over alleged misuse of public funds.
Earlier, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said inquiries involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senator Francis Escudero had reached the preliminary investigation stage.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla had previously indicated that charges would be pursued against both Romualdez and Escudero in connection with the issue.
Last week, plunder and graft cases were filed against Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who was accused of receiving as much as Php 573 million in kickbacks tied to flood control allocations in 2025. He was later arrested by the Philippine National Police after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant.