Manila, November 20 (AseanAll) — Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and asked the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to turn over to the Ombudsman any information gathered so far in connection with former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co on the flood control irregularities.
In a video message issued on November 20, 2025, Marcos said the Ombudsman would continue the investigation on Romualdez and Co.
The order is in line with the President’s commitment to report to the public the status of the investigation he initiated, the cases filed, and the reforms instituted to prevent further misuse of public funds through anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects.
“Kaya ngayon, ay nais kong ipaalam sa ating mga kababayan na ang ICI at saka ang DPWH, lahat ng nakuha nila na impormasyon, ay ire-refer, ibibigay na sa Ombudsman para imbestigahan ng Ombudsman,” the Chief Executive said in a message released through his official social media account.
“Ito ay tungkol sa mga impormasyon ng dating Speaker Martin Romualdez at saka ni Zaldy Co,” the President added.
Marcos said the Ombudsman’s investigation will be based on evidence.
“Pag nakita lahat ng ebidensya, baka magfile ng kaso ng plunder o anti-graft o indirect bribery. Malakas naman ang loob natin na ‘yung Ombudsman, ang ginagawa lamang ay sumusunod sa ebidensya, at kung saan tayo dinadala ng ebidensya, doon pupunta ang ating imbestigasyon,” the President said.
The investigation into flood control projects corruption has made significant headway within three months since the President opened the Sumbong ng Pangulo website on August 11 and created the ICI on September 11 to investigate corruption in government infrastructure projects, especially flood control, over the last 10 years.
Marcos himself initiated the investigation into anomalous flood control projects when he denounced the systemic corruption during his July 28 Fourth State of the Nation Address.
