The Office of the Ombudsman remains open to the return of allegedly misappropriated public funds linked to the controversial flood control projects, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla announced.
While clarifying that the government is not dropping its legal battles, Remulla emphasized that mechanisms for civil recovery and restitution are still viable options.
“‘Pag tinatanong ako sa makukulong, hindi ko gusto magpakulong ng tao. Kaya lang wala tayong choice minsan, di ba? Pero kung mayroong way out, gamitin natin ‘yung way out. Sinasabi ko ‘yan. ‘Yung restitution bukas pa ‘yan,” Remulla explained.
The Ombudsman compared the scenario to recovering a stolen mobile phone, where the victim’s primary concern is usually getting their property back rather than pursuing a lengthy court trial.
“Ito lang, sa cell phone analogy, ‘pag ninakawan ka ng cell phone at tinawagan ka ng police, [sasabihin] sa ‘yo, o nahuli na namin ‘yung magnanakaw, hahanapin mo cell phone mo. Pagdating mo sa presinto, pag nakita mo na ‘yung telepono mo gusto mo na umuwi. Ayaw mo nang magdemanda. Ganun din naman tayong lahat eh. Tao lang tayo eh,” he said.
However, Remulla warned that any settlement regarding the returned wealth must be absolute and non-negotiable.
“Basta ‘yung pinag-uusapang halaga walang tawaran. Walang pinag-uusapang halaga rito. Hindi tayo magtatawaran dito. Isauli ‘yung dapat isauli,” the Ombudsman stressed.
The development comes as the anti-graft body prepares to formalize criminal action against high-profile lawmakers. The Ombudsman is set to file plunder and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan against Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Thursday, May 28, alongside a separate plunder case against Senator Joel Villanueva over the same flood control anomalies.