Cebu flood control: Remulla says ₱60-B projects under Ombudsman scrutiny

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman is investigating about ₱60 billion worth of flood control projects poured into Cebu over the past six years, with the review forming part of a wider examination of government projects across the Visayas.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla disclosed this during his visit on Monday, August 10, to the Ombudsman Visayas Area Office in Cebu City. He met with personnel for updates on investigations and the prosecution of cases.

He later inspected the Mananga River Flood Control Project at Mananga Bridge 3 along the Cebu South Coastal Road in Barangay Lawaan II, Talisay City. Investigators from the Ombudsman Visayas Area Office joined him.

₱60 billion in Cebu projects

Remulla said that the Ombudsman is looking at what he called the “₱60-billion universe” of flood control projects in Cebu over the past six years.

The review will begin with areas that experienced flooding. Investigators are looking at the flood control projects implemented in those locations and assessing how these performed.

“We’re looking at the ₱60-billion universe. The ₱60 billion for the past six years poured into the Cebu area is important,” Remulla said.

According to Remulla, about 25% of the amount went to Cebu’s 7th District. Another 25% went to a leading contractor.

READ ALSO: Pangilinan calls for accounting of flood-control spending

He said that the review would seek to determine whether problems with flood control projects stemmed from their design, execution or corruption.

“That should be a lot of money to control the flooding. But apparently, the past month, flooding happened again here in Cebu. So we have to look at what’s happening. Is it the design? Is it the execution? Or is it just corruption? Titingnan natin (We will have a look) and we will find out, and we will know,” Remulla said.

Flooded areas, project execution to be checked

Remulla said that investigators would prioritize areas that were flooded and examine the projects implemented there.

The review will include the DPWH Regional Director’s office and district engineers, particularly their project outputs.

Investigators will also examine how projects were executed and whether these complied with their specifications.

Remulla cited sheet piling as one area that could be examined. The national standard for flood control structures is set at 14 meters.

He cited an experience in Bulacan where a 14-meter sheet-piling specification was allegedly reduced to four meters.

Cebu flood control investigation

Proving violations will require a detailed examination of project contracts and other evidence.

“One thing that I’ll tell you, it’s not very easy to do flood control investigations because the contracts are very thick. AI can be used, but it cannot be used completely because we have to look at these contracts properly,” he said.

“Kaya proving our cases is always possible, but it’s not as easy as it seems. It’s easy to conclude, but to prove is harder. And our job is to prove.”

The Ombudsman’s review will also look into possible ghost projects, rigged bidding and what Remulla called a “no-bidding phenomenon.”

Ghost projects, bidding under scrutiny

Asked about the alleged ghost flood control project in Barangay Singsing, Balamban, Remulla said that investigators will first need to verify its location. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had asked the Ombudsman to investigate this.

Remulla said that the office will use digital tools to determine whether the project exists and whether it may have involved possible violations, including being a ghost or substandard project.

“We will look at the location through the tools that we have digitally so we know if it’s really ghost or not ghost, if substandard, basta lahat ng pwedeng maging (all possible) violations, we will look at it,” Remulla said.

He stressed that the allegation still needs to be validated.

“So, it’s possible that it’s ghost, but we will have to check, and verify, and validate,” he said.

Probe expands beyond Cebu

Remulla also said that the Ombudsman would examine possible double counting of projects. That’s when one project is listed as two separate items.

Remulla said the Cebu investigation forms part of a wider review of flood control projects across the Visayas.

The Ombudsman also identified Eastern Visayas, Bohol, Tacloban, and Negros Oriental as areas being looked into. He also cited Antique and Iloilo City as areas of focus.

He said the office is examining “the broader universe of projects” before determining which specific areas and projects require closer scrutiny.

‘Ghost electricity’, too

Remulla said that his visit to Cebu was also intended to meet with Ombudsman Visayas personnel and determine what tools they need for fact-finding, investigations, and prosecution.

The Ombudsman is looking into other possible schemes involving government funds. Remulla cited “ghost electricity” involving solar projects as another matter being examined.

Remulla declined to identify specific officials who may be under scrutiny in connection with the flood control projects in Cebu.

He said the review will cover the region, including the DPWH Regional Director’s office and district engineers, but that the Ombudsman would not name individuals at this stage.

Remulla also said cases will be filed once sufficient evidence has been established. “There will be cases filed by the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas soon,” he said.

More lawyers for the Visayas Ombudsman’s office

He stressed, however, that the office cannot simply file cases or put people in jail without evidence.

The Ombudsman chief said that the evidence must be established before cases can proceed through the courts.

To strengthen the Visayas office’s capacity, Remulla said he had committed to adding 20 lawyers to the Ombudsman Visayas Area Office for fact-finding and preliminary investigation work.

Beyond the ongoing investigations, Remulla renewed his call for greater transparency in government procurement and project implementation.

Transparency through digital tools

He said he is pushing for legislation that would require government bidding processes to be recorded and made publicly accessible through digital platforms.

The proposed system, according to Remulla, should cover bidding from the barangay level up to the executive department, with information made available for the public to monitor.

“Lahat ng bidding process dapat record nila. Dapat diyan open. Dapat diyan live,” Remulla said. (All the bidding processes should be recorded, open, and streamed live.)

He said digital tools could be used to make government transactions more transparent, noting that even a cellphone could be used to transmit information for public viewing.

‘Tip the balance in the people’s favor’

Remulla said that the Ombudsman is pursuing greater transparency and open communication so that complaints from ordinary citizens can be seen and addressed.

He said the office’s role is to protect the public and ensure that government resources are used in the public interest.

“We have to tip the balance in favor of the people. Hindi dapat ’yong powerful, it should be the powerless. We have to tip the balance for the ordinary Filipinos. ’Yun lang naman ang role ng opisina namin. (That is our office’s role.) Nothing more, nothing less,” Remulla said.

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