The Office of the Ombudsman is set to initiate fresh criminal proceedings against multiple high-profile individuals implicated in the anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon disclosed on Wednesday.
According to Dizon, the formal charges will be submitted on Thursday before the Malolos Regional Trial Court. While he withheld the specific names of the respondents, he confirmed that they involve influential figures operating within the province.
”The cases will be filed Thursday at the Malolos Regional Trial Court,” he said.
The Public Works chief further indicated that this is only the beginning, as ongoing investigations are expected to yield more legal battles for those involved.
”Mayroon pang mga padating na kaso. In fact tomorrow mayroon ulit ipa-file sa Bulacan naman. Hintayin niyo na lang kung sino. Malaking isda rin,” Dizon said.
Dizon warned that erring individuals should brace themselves for an aggressive legal crackdown as the government intensifies its campaign against corruption in infrastructure projects.
He reiterated that this anti-graft drive stems from the strict directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure absolute accountability.
”Sana matuto na sila at matakot na sila kasi talagang hindi titigil si [President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.] na ipakulong ‘yung mga dapat ipakulong,” he added.
Dizon shared these updates following a joint inspection of the Matalahib Creek on Wednesday morning, where he was accompanied by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Dr. Mahar Lagmay, executive director of the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute–Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (UPRI-NOAH).