Tulfo says anti-graft body will now take charge of corruption investigation; analyst warns scrutiny must not stop
By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has formally handed over its investigation into alleged corruption in flood control projects to the Office of the Ombudsman, putting the anti-graft body at the center of the government’s drive to determine who may be held accountable for billions of pesos in questionable public works.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, announced the transfer after meeting behind closed doors with Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla and Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian at the Ombudsman headquarters on Friday.
Tulfo said the Ombudsman would now take charge of matters involving alleged irregularities in flood control projects, with the Senate turning over documents and other records gathered during its inquiry.
“Initially, the Ombudsman and I discussed that they would now handle everything that has to do with flood control,” Tulfo said in an ambush interview following the meeting.
The development effectively shifts the next phase of the investigation from congressional fact-finding to the country’s principal anti-graft institution, which has the authority to pursue criminal and administrative complaints against public officials and other individuals if warranted by evidence.
Constitutional lawyer Michael Henry Yusingco described the move as appropriate, but cautioned that the transfer also places greater responsibility on the Ombudsman to act decisively.
“That’s the right move,” Yusingco said.
But he stressed that the public would now be watching the anti-graft agency closely.
“All eyes should be on the Ombudsman with regard to the flood control corruption,” said Yusingco, a constitutional expert and nonresident research fellow at the Ateneo School of Government.
Tulfo said Remulla indicated that the Ombudsman would handle the flood control matter from this point forward, allowing the Blue Ribbon Committee to turn its attention to other possible cases of corruption.
The senator quoted Remulla as telling him: “Kami nang bahala. Maybe you can start looking for other cases.”
Tulfo said the committee was already gathering information on another possible corruption issue but declined to disclose details, saying he did not want to preempt any investigation.
“We’re still gathering information. Don’t want to make any comment. I don’t want to preempt it,” Tulfo said.
He indicated, however, that the next case could involve an issue with a broad impact on ordinary Filipinos.
“Definitely, it’s something that we all use every day,” he said.
The transfer comes as allegations surrounding flood control spending continue to draw intense public scrutiny, with questions raised over the implementation, funding and accountability of projects intended to protect communities from flooding.
The Senate inquiry had served as a venue for gathering testimony, examining documents and identifying possible irregularities. With the records now in the hands of the Ombudsman, the burden shifts to the anti-graft agency to determine whether the evidence supports the filing of cases.
For Yusingco, the handover should not be viewed as the end of the investigation but as the beginning of a potentially more consequential phase.
The Ombudsman will now have to establish whether the allegations can withstand legal scrutiny—and whether those responsible, regardless of position, can ultimately be held accountable.
The Senate has passed the investigative baton. The next move belongs to the Ombudsman.
ia/xf
