The Office of the Ombudsman has directed Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to submit his counter-affidavit regarding his alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano confirmed on Thursday, May 21.
Clavano stated that the complaint has progressed to the preliminary investigation stage, and the anti-graft body is currently waiting for the lawmaker’s formal response.
“‘Yung kay Sen. Chiz Escudero ay nasa preliminary investigation stage na. There was an order to submit a counter-affidavit na na-receive ng opisina ni Chiz Escudero. I believe yung panel po natin ay naghihintay na lang sa kanyang counter affidavit para unused na po ang prelim,” Clavano explained in a radio interview.
The case of Sen. Chiz Escudero is already in the preliminary investigation stage. An order to submit a counter-affidavit was received by the office of Chiz Escudero. I believe our panel is just waiting for his counter-affidavit so the preliminary investigation can proceed.
The case against Escudero is part of a broader, ongoing crackdown on corruption tied to flood mitigation infrastructure. Clavano revealed that the Ombudsman is managing a wave of related cases, which are at various levels of litigation and discovery.
“All the cases ay tumatakbo, pending sa ating opisina ngayon. ‘Yung iba ay nasa preliminary investigation stage na. Yung iba may iba pang kailangan idagdag na ebidensya. Naghahanap kami ng mga witnesses, mga statements. Yung iba naghihintay kami ng ibang dokumento galing sa iba’t ibang ebidensya. Nandyan ‘yan and they are ripening up one by one,” he said.
All the cases are moving, pending in our office right now. Others are already in the preliminary investigation stage. Some require additional evidence. We are looking for witnesses, statements. For others, we are waiting for different documents from various sources of evidence. They are there and they are ripening up one by one.
Aside from Escudero, high-profile figures are also facing scrutiny. Clavano disclosed that complaints involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez have likewise advanced to the preliminary investigation phase, specifically focusing on alleged money laundering activities.
“‘Yung kay former speaker Romualdez ay nasa preliminary investigation stage na din po. Ang una pong umabot sa stage na yun ay ang mga money laundering cases niya,” he noted.
The case against former speaker Romualdez is also in the preliminary investigation stage. The first ones to reach that stage are his money laundering cases.
To build a watertight case, investigators have secured the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) of the individuals under investigation. These financial disclosures are being systematically cross-referenced with asset registries from agencies like the Land Registration Authority (LRA) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
“Mayroon na kaming nakuhang mga SALN. Yung mga SALN na yun, ibabangga sa lahat ng registries, LRA, LTO, may ibang mga registries pa. Tapos titingnan kung tugma ba yung mga dineclare nila doon sa mga nakalista doon sa mga registries,” Clavano said.
We have already obtained the SALNs. Those SALNs will be matched against all registries, LRA, LTO, and other registries. Then we will check if what they declared matches what is listed in those registries.
When asked if the lifestyle and asset checks have already yielded any red flags, the Assistant Ombudsman gave a definitive confirmation:
“Mayroon po. Na wala namang kapasidad na bumili.”
There are. Cases where they clearly have no financial capacity to purchase [those assets].