Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla announced on Friday, October 24, that several personalities—including former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co—will be charged before the Sandiganbayan in connection with “ghost” and substandard flood control projects.
“May mga kongresista… [mga] senators, hindi pa ako sigurado,” Remulla told reporters in an ambush interview after attending the Senate hearing on the proposed 2026 budget of the Office of the Ombudsman.
While he did not disclose the exact number of lawmakers involved, Remulla revealed that eight to ten members of Congress are currently under investigation.
“Hindi ko rin magbibigyan ng estimate. Mahirap eh. Kasi may mga nakalatag na sa amin. May mga 8–10 na nakalatag sa amin. Siyempre, in-evaluate lahat ‘yan,” he explained.
Remulla assured that the Ombudsman’s office is expediting the process to ensure swift accountability, emphasizing that corruption investigations must no longer be delayed.
“Basta hindi na kagaya ng dati na snail phase. Talaga ito, talagang kailangan bilisan namin paspasan na. Kasi ganoon naman dapat eh. Ang corruption, matagal na nangyayari, the deadline is yesterday, sinasabi ko lang,” he said.
According to Remulla, Co is among those likely to face charges for his alleged involvement in “ghost” and substandard flood control projects in Mindanao.
“Malamang kasama [si Co]. Kasi ang naalala ko meron Mindoro case na kasama sa mga finile sa amin,” Remulla noted.
The Ombudsman’s statement comes amid a broader probe into infrastructure-related corruption, particularly in flood control initiatives that have drawn public criticism for alleged misuse of government funds.