By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman is intensifying its anti-graft campaign, placing three incumbent lawmakers under scrutiny for alleged conflicts of interest while preparing to elevate the plunder complaint against Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to the next stage of legal proceedings.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday that investigators are examining complaints against CWS Party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola, Tarlac 2nd District Rep. Cristy Angeles, and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Dong Gonzales over allegations that they maintained interests in government contracting while serving as legislators.
The complaints, Remulla said, are anchored on possible violations of Section 3(h) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits public officials from participating in matters where they have direct or indirect financial interests.
According to the Ombudsman chief, the investigations are intended to determine whether public office was used in a manner that created prohibited conflicts between legislative duties and private business interests.
He noted that such practices have long existed but emphasized that the law clearly prohibits public officials from benefiting from transactions connected to their official functions.
The complaints involving Angeles and Gonzales have already reached the preliminary investigation stage, allowing the respondents to answer the allegations through counter-affidavits and supporting evidence. The status of the complaint against Gardiola was not immediately disclosed.
Angeles, in a statement, said she would cooperate fully with the Ombudsman’s investigation and submit the necessary documents to clear her name.
She also appealed for respect for due process, saying the issues should be resolved through legal proceedings rather than public speculation.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano explained that complaints initially undergo confidential fact-finding, during which investigators determine whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant formal charges. Only after that stage are respondents officially notified and required to answer the allegations.
If probable cause is established, cases may eventually be filed before the Sandiganbayan or the appropriate Regional Trial Court.
Romualdez complaint nears next phase
Remulla also disclosed that the plunder complaint against Romualdez has reached an advanced stage of evaluation and is nearing preliminary investigation.
Without giving a specific timetable, he said investigators are completing the remaining legal requirements before moving the case forward.
The complaint accuses Romualdez of allegedly orchestrating a kickback scheme tied to government flood control projects, with the alleged illicit proceeds estimated at P56 billion.
Although no criminal information has yet been filed before the Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court previously granted the Ombudsman’s request for a precautionary hold departure order while the investigation continues.
Romualdez has repeatedly denied the allegations, maintaining that he neither controlled nor directed the allocation of infrastructure funds. He has also argued that decisions on congressional appropriations were made by other legislative leaders.
The Ombudsman has yet to announce when the preliminary investigation into the plunder complaint will formally begin, but Remulla indicated that the case is now in its final stages before advancing to formal proceedings.
ia/xf
