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Marcos: Ombudsman to probe Zaldy Co, Romualdez over flood control mess
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) have recommended the filing of plunder, graft, and bribery complaints against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co before the Office of the Ombudsman.
This recommendation is based on alleged irregularities in flood control projects, with the DPWH and ICI citing Romualdez's role as House Speaker and Co's position as chair of the House committee on appropriations.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the turnover of all gathered information by the ICI and DPWH to the Ombudsman for investigation.
The joint referral cites contracts from Sunwest Inc. and Hi-Tone Construction spanning 2016 to 2025, as well as sworn testimony from retired Sgt. Orly Guteza regarding Romualdez and Co during recent Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings.
Guteza has testified that he delivered pieces of luggage filled with money to the residences of Co and Romualdez.
A previous report indicated that Co's company, Sunwest, secured billions worth of DPWH contracts in Romualdez's district in Leyte.
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The Sandiganbayan has raffled three cases against former Ako-Bicol Representative Elizaldy Co and 17 others concerning an alleged anomalous P289.5 million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.
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Former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co challenged Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to investigate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former Speaker Martin Romualdez regarding an alleged P100 billion insertion in the 2025 national budget.
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Former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co has denied receiving funds from alleged insertions in the national budget for flood-control projects, claiming the money was given to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
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Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez contacted him to deny any involvement in the flood control corruption controversy.
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The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is reviewing allegations made by former Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy Co against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. concerning the 2025 national budget.
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