ICI, DPWH refer plunder, graft raps vs 8 solons to Ombudsman
by Ian Laqui · philstarMANILA, Philippines — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), along with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), has recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman the filing of plunder and graft charges against eight lawmakers.
The ICI and the DPWH submitted their recommendation to the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday, November 26.
The following are the former and current lawmakers recommended to be charged, according to the ICI:
- Former Rep. Zaldy Co - for FS Co. Builders Supply
- Rep. Edwin Gardiola - for Newington Builders, Inc., Lourel Development Corporation, and S-Ang General Construction & Trading Inc.
- Rep. James Ang, Jr. - for IBC International Builders Corporation and Allencon Development Corporation.
- Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay - for JVN Construction and Trading
- Rep. Augustina Pancho - for C.M. Pancho Construction Inc.
- Rep. Joseph Lara - for JLL Pulsar Construction Corporation
- Rep. Francisco Matugas - for Boometrix Development Corp.
- Rep. Noel Rivera - for Tarlac 3-G Construction & Development Corp.
In a press briefing, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said that the charges recommended to the Ombudsman constitute a violation of Republic Act 7080, or the "Act Defining and Penalizing the Crime of Plunder," and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The ICI and the DPWH also recommended charging the lawmakers with bribery and violation of the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials, violation of the Government Procurement and Reform Act, and violation of Article 6, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution.
Article 6, Section 14 of the Constitution refers to the following:
"SECTION 14. No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may personally appear as counsel before any court of justice or before the Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. Neither shall he, directly or indirectly, be interested financially in any contract with, or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned or controlled corporation, or its subsidiary, during his term of office. He shall not intervene in any matter before any office of the Government for his pecuniary benefit or where he may be called upon to act on account of his office."
According to a statement by ICI chairperson Andres Reyes Jr., the subject of this joint referral with the DPWH concerns 1,300 infrastructure projects awarded from 2016 to 2024 to contractors linked to the mentioned lawmakers.
"Members of Congress are barred from having a financial interest, directly or indirectly, in any government contract, franchise, or special privilege during their term of office," Reyes said in a statement.
"These congressmen should not be engaging in private business activities that conflict with their official duties. They should not influence bids and awards. Members of Congress must not sway procurement processes, nor should they participate in or benefit from government contracts," he added.
In the same press briefing, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said that the findings of the ICI and the DPWH will undergo evaluation and fact-finding.
"Ito'y tinatanggap namin for evaluation and fact-finding, at susundan ng preliminary investigation," Remulla said.
(We are accepting this for evaluation and fact-finding, and it will be followed by a preliminary investigation.)
The first complaints related to the flood control projects were filed by the Ombudsman at the Sandiganbayan on November 18.
This resulted in the arrest of several co-accused of Co over the alleged anomalous ghost flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
Meanwhile, there is an Interpol Blue Notice for Co, who is known to be outside the country.