By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman is investigating flood control projects in Davao City amid questions over possible corruption, with Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla describing the city as an “epicenter” of flood control allocations during the previous administration.
Remulla made the disclosure Tuesday while the House Committee on Appropriations deliberated on the Ombudsman’s proposed PHP7-billion budget.
Act Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio asked whether the anti-graft agency was investigating alleged corruption involving flood control projects implemented during the previous administration.
“Yes, but it is not really easy,” Remulla replied, citing difficulties in penetrating what he described as an “ecosystem of corruption” in the city.
“The epicenter of flood control before the Marcos administration is Davao City,” he said.
Remulla said investigators were having difficulty obtaining information because many people were reluctant to speak, but stressed that the Ombudsman would continue its efforts.
“It’s hard to get information, so many people don’t want to talk, but we don’t stop,” he said.
Tinio subsequently characterized Remulla’s statement as meaning that Davao City was the “epicenter of flood control corruption” during the previous administration.
Remulla, however, immediately cautioned against drawing that conclusion.
“I will not make that conclusion immediately; we are studying this, because what’s important is we see the evidence on the ground,” he said.
After the hearing, Remulla clarified that his use of the term “epicenter” referred primarily to the substantial amount of flood control funds allocated to Davao City in the past.
“[Epicenter] of flood control, because there was a big budget in the past in Davao City in flood control, that’s what I know,” he said.
Asked again whether “epicenter” did not necessarily refer to corruption itself, Remulla replied: “Well, we will check out the flood control there.”
The Ombudsman’s investigation comes as scrutiny of flood control spending continues, with the agency now looking into projects in Davao City to determine whether irregularities or corruption occurred.
ia/xf
