towards Erika Mae P. Sinoaking and Kenneth Christian L. Basilio, Reporting
The Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman that the filing of Pulander and graft cases be encouraged.
Awarding contract boxes and investigative acquisitions to nearly 1,300 infrastructure projects starting in 2024, ICE and DPWH named the former owner of FS Co, which is linked to Parterter.
Records from the DPWH show that the Firm alone was awarded infrastructure projects from 2020 to 2024, amounting to P3.83 billion.
The transfer also shows that the remaining seven legal traders are connected to the companies they or their relatives have managed, raising possible conflicts of interest and violations of anti-corruption laws.
Other lawmakers include: Party-Three rep. Edwin L. Gardiola, a partner at Newington Dark Corp. and Allencon Development Corp. Bugacan Rep.’Ugugasina Dominique C. Pancho of cm Pancho Construction, Inc.; Cagayan Rep. Joseph L. Lara of jll pulsar construction Corp.; Surigao del Norte rep. Francisco T. Matugas of Boometrix Development Corp.; and tarlac rep. Noel N. Rivera of Tarlac 3-G Construction & Development Corp.
ICI Chairman Andres B. Reyes, Jr. He said in this statement that these conferences should not participate in the activities of private businesses that conflict with their official duties and that “they should not influence bids and awards.”
In a press conference, Public Works Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon said that the cases recommended by the Ombudsman constitute Republic Act 7080, which includes bribery, as well as the standards of procurement of government goods, and the standards of procurement of public officials.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Rella said his office will review the referral and conduct a preliminary investigation.
“We accept this for examination and fact-finding, and a preliminary investigation will follow,” said Mr. Redulta.
In the statement Mr. He has been accused of saying ‘his conscience is clear.’
“I am confident that I will be able to clear my name soon. In three years of public service, I have never used a real position and just faced this in the right forum,” he added.
At the time, Ruy Albert S. Rondain, Mr. Co’s legal counsel, said he had not reviewed the referral and expressed doubts about his client’s involvement.
“I don’t believe he personally entered into any contract, either individually or with a business under that name,” said Mr Rodain Businessworld over Viber.
In a Facebook post, Mr Lara said the promotion was not related to flood mitigation projects, and instead of his previous JLL PUSLAR development. He welcomed the compromise as an opportunity to speak in a ‘fair forum’ to prove he had not broken the law.
Mr Matugas’ Office said in a separate Facebook post that the Ombudsman has yet to receive official notification of the transfer. Mr. Matugas Camp in Bisaya said that they are ready to fully cooperate with the investigation as they have nothing. “
The other Congressmen named did not immediately respond to reporters’ requests for comment.
Investigate Marcoses
Also on Wednesday, the Makabayan Bloc formally urged the ICI ici to formally investigate President Ferdinand R. Marcos, JR. and other officials on the alleged 2025 flood disaster.
In the letter, the Makabayan lawmakers exposed the claims of Mr. Co, who was in charge of the House Appropriation Committee, and the PR52 billion swindled by former secretary Lucas PB Bersermin.
“More than 100 days have passed since the flood control plan was organized, but the politicians who represented it have been convicted,” the letter read.
“Filipinos are now witnessing what appears to be a massive cover-up operation designed to protect high-ranking officials from accountability for this fraud.”
Mr. Coo in November began releasing a series of videos accusing the Marcos family of government, including Mr. Coo’s fainting.
In a new video statement on Wednesday, Mr.
He said Ms. Marcos is “in charge of rice importers” when lawmakers began to look into the high prices despite the rice import tax being reduced to 15% from 35% from 35%.
Congressmen ended their investigation after Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, jr. He presented a document linking Ms. Marcos to Marcos Martin G. Rouldez and A. Marcos III to request its termination.
Palace press officer Clarissa A. Castro did not immediately respond to a Viber message seeking comment.
He had previously dismissed Mr CO’s videos as “a series of jokes”, urging him to produce evidence rather than relying on allegations.
“It is painful to accept, but this is the truth: The most powerful family is involved in the system,” said Mr. Co. “They’re in it, they control it and they benefit from it.”
The government in July last year Stashed Rice Prices to be introduced at 15% from 35% rice price stabilization. But that didn’t fix market prices for the controversial grain, prompting lawmakers to look into the food trade.
“Even if the tax on rice is reduced from 35% to 15%, the price of rice has never decreased because of the sop price and the payment paid for each transaction.
He also alleged that Ms. Marcos intervened in the investigation regarding the 2022 investigation into the alleged agricultural smuggling to avoid her brother from being affected.
“The investigation did not continue … because Ms. Marcos called Mr. Roualdez to stop the investigation,” he said. “That’s why there is no further punishment because the first lady’s brother controlled the importation of onions.”
