The Office of the Ombudsman has launched a preliminary investigation into over 20 malversation complaints against Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party-list Representative Edwin Gardiola, dubbed a “cong-tractor” over alleged conflict-of-interest violations.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla confirmed the probe, focusing on claims that Gardiola engaged in illegal self-dealing by leveraging his congressional position to secure lucrative government infrastructure contracts.
“’Yung unang kaso, cong-tractor ‘yon, ‘yung mga ginawa niya na self-dealing sa loob ng Kongreso, tsaka ‘yung trabaho na hindi dapat ginagawa ng isang congressman ay ginawa niya… Alam niyo na ‘yan, conflict of interest,” Remulla stated.
Investigators are looking into three construction firms linked to the lawmaker: Newington Builders, Inc. (formerly Gardiola Construction), Lourel Development Corporation, and S-Ang General Construction & Trading, Inc.
Data from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Transparency Portal shows that infrastructure projects linked to Gardiola carry a total allocation of roughly ₱38.2 billion.
The Ombudsman’s preliminary investigation aims to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to file formal legal charges against the lawmaker.