Amid the Flood Control Issue, Ombudsman Remulla Speaks on Legal Process over Cases
Ombudsman Boying Remulla requires the accused in the flood control cases to return loot first if they want to plea-bargain.
Several senators and congressmen are accused of alleged involvement in the multi-billion flood control corruption in the Philippines. The Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI, the independent probe team which was formed upon the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., currently leads the investigation on the issue.
The ICI has called some senators and congressmen for closed-door hearings in line with the investigation of the flood control issue. Former House Speaker and Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez is one of the government officials who responded to the invitation of the commission. He was accused by controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya of allegedly receiving “kickback” from the flood control projects.
The accusers of Romualdez, the Discayas, were also invited by the ICI and they responded a few times. However, the Discayas withdrew their cooperation with the ICI in the flood control probe amid allegedly a lack of recommendation for state witness admission. Their decision came after ICI member Rogelio Singson claimed in an interview that no one has yet to qualify to become a state witness.
Following the withdrawal of the Discayas from cooperating with the ICI, Ombudsman Boying Remulla expressed his belief that the contractors are possibly protecting Senator Bong Go. According to the country’s chief graft-buster, the contractors are allegedly “selective” in giving information.
Ombudsman Boying Remulla vowed to try to achieve a fast resolution of the issue. Recently, he spoke about the possibility of plea-bargaining by the accusers. Based on a report on GMA News, Remulla stressed that the accused should return their loot first before they could bargain.
“Pwede mag plea-bargain basta may full restitution,” the Ombudsman said.
According to Ombudsman Boying Remulla, they have at least five cases going to preliminary investigation already. Based on the report, he stressed that the next processes should not reach a year.
“Which means, pwede mabilis kasi ang period naman dito to answer is 10 days. And we can join the issues immediately. From evaluation to fact-finding to preliminary investigation to prosecution, umaabot siya may isang taon eh. It has to stop. Dismiss it or file it,” he said.
Aside from Sen. Bong Go, Ombudsman Boying Remulla also previously claimed that the Discayas may allegedly be possibly protecting Sen. Mark Villar and former Sen. Cynthia Villar, too.