Amid the Flood Control Issue in PH, Ombudsman Boying Remulla Speaks Anew on Discayas
Ombudsman Boying Remulla said the Discayas are “possibly” protecting Senator Mark Villar and former Sen. Cynthia Villar.
Recently, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, the three-member body that was formed upon the order of President Bongbong Marcos amid the flood control mess in the country, confirmed that the Discayas stopped cooperating with the ICI amid a supposed lack of recommendation for state witness. Despite it, the independent body is confident that there are a lot of sources to build a case.
Following the withdrawal of the Discayas from cooperating with the ICC, Ombudsman Boying Remulla claimed that the controversial contractors are allegedly “selective” with regards to sharing their information on the flood control issue. They were the first contractors to make claims about the supposed “kickback system” in the flood control projects funded by the government
The Discayas claimed that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co, Pasig Congressman Roman Romulo, Quezon City Cong. Arjo Atayde, and Marikina Cong. Marcy Teodoro are alleged among the House members who received “kickback” from the flood control projects. All of the accused denied the allegations.
Following the Discayas’ withdrawal of their cooperation with the ICI, Ombudsman Boying Remulla expressed his belief that the contractors are possibly protecting some senators. He named senators Bong Go and Mark Villar as well as former Sen. Cynthia Villar.
Previously, Sen. Bong Go broke his silence on the Ombudsman’s speculation linking him to the Discayas. Through a press conference, the Senator denied hiding anything and expressed his willingness to be the subject of any investigation.
According to the Senator, he does not know the Discayas. He also recalled his questions during a Senate flood probe regarding the joint venture of the contractors with the CLTG Builders, a construction business owned by his father. He stressed that he is willing to be the complainant of a case even if it would be against his family as he is for accountability.
On the part of the Villars, Ombudsman Boying Remulla stressed that it was during the stint of Sen. Mark Villar in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) when the contractors allegedly grew big. Sen. Mark Villar was the DPWH secretary during the Duterte administration.
Based on a report on PhilStar, the country’s chief graft-buster claimed that it is allegedly impossible that Sen. Mark Villar does not know about it. However, Remulla also claimed that he still does not have evidence that links the Senator and his mother, former Sen. Cynthia Villar, to the issue.
“Nung secretary si Mark doon sila lumaki, doon sila nakakuha ng napakaraming project. That’s where they.. they really raked it in nung secretary si Mark…Hindi pwedeng hindi alam ni Mark ‘yan. Wala pa akong direct evidence diyan pero yung stay kasi ni Mark and knowing the Discayas became very big during that time, they sought favor with these people. Gustong gusto nila ‘in’ sila. Hindi naman sila magiging ‘in’ kung hind sila gagawa ng extra effort,” the Ombudsman said.
The Villars has yet to comment on the claim of Ombudsman Boying Remulla. Amid the flood control issue in the country, the Discaya couple is faced with multi-billion tax evasion charges.