The Supreme Court of the Philippines on Friday directed Jesus Crispin Remulla and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICIF) to respond within 10 days to a petition filed by former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co.
“The SC, without necessarily giving due course to the petition, directed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to comment within 10 days from notice on the petition for certiorari filed by Elizaldy S. Co, including his prayer for the issuance of a temporary restraining order,” the Court said.
The order, issued during Wednesday’s en banc session, arose from Co’s 57-page petition challenging the Ombudsman’s resolution to file criminal charges over a ₱289.5 million road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
On November 18, the Ombudsman filed graft and malversation complaints with the Sandiganbayan against Co and several former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways, citing sufficient cause to prosecute. The project had been contracted to Sunwest Inc., a company linked to Co.
The SC clarified that no temporary restraining order has been issued in connection with the petition.