Malacañang on Tuesday vowed that top personalities implicated in the misuse of flood control funds will face charges and arrest in the coming days.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez announced that the Office of the Ombudsman is preparing to file additional cases before the Sandiganbayan, following the first case lodged last November 18 against former Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co and 15 others over a substandard flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
“Tandaan natin, isang kaso pa lang ito ‘yung sa Oriental Mindoro. Marami pang isasampa sa mga susunod na araw, at sigurado akong kasama na diyan ang mga big fish,” Gomez declared in an interview.
He emphasized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure that all those involved in the scam are arrested and jailed before Christmas.
“Itong huling kasong sinampa, may isang malaking balyena na tayong kinasuhan, si Rep. Zaldy Co. Marami pa ang susunod bago mag-Pasko,” Gomez added.
Arrest warrants have already been issued against Co and 15 officials of the DPWH-MIMAROPA regional office and Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation for the anomalous flood control project in the Mag-Asawang Tubig River, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
The Ombudsman filed the charges based on evidence gathered by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) created by President Marcos and the DPWH.
Nine of the accused have been arrested and presented before the Sandiganbayan, while Co and six others remain at large and are the subject of a police manhunt.
Gomez reiterated that President Marcos will see through the investigation he initiated to end corruption in DPWH projects and hold accountable those who exploit public funds.
