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Elizabeth Marcelo - The Philippine Star
December 9, 2025 | 12:00am
Ombudsman: A ‘big fish’ may be arrested next week
MANILA, Philippines — It’s a “low-hanging fruit” and there is “enough evidence” to warrant the indictment and arrest – possibly before Christmas – of former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. for malversation or plunder in connection with flood control projects, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said yesterday.
In an interview with ANC, Remulla said his office is nearing the conclusion of its preliminary investigation on Revilla’s alleged involvement in flood control anomalies.
Remulla did not specify exactly when cases would be filed in court against the former senator.
“I think malversation would be the predicate crime, possibly plunder. It (investigation) is something that is ongoing right now,” Remulla said when asked to specify the cases being readied against Revilla.
In the latter part of the interview, when Remulla was asked if any “big fish” in the flood control controversy would be arrested soon, he said there is definitely one getting jailed before Christmas.
“Of course there is. Just relax. We’ll make no announcement, it will just happen,” Remulla said in Filipino.
Asked if any senator would be served an arrest warrant before Christmas, the ombudsman replied: “Possible. Maybe next week.”
Pressed further if he was referring to Revilla, Remulla said the former senator’s case is considered a “low-hanging fruit” or ripe for filing.
“That’s the low-hanging fruit. We have been investigating it for a long time,” Remulla said in Filipino.
Just last week the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that Revilla as well as fugitive resigned congressman Zaldy Co were included as respondents in its ongoing preliminary investigation on anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan.
DOJ spokesman Raphael Niccolo Martinez said Revilla and Co were included as respondents in at least two flood control cases involving SYMS Construction and Trading.
Martinez said Revilla and Co are also among the respondents in the complaints recently filed by the National Bureau of Investigation involving ghost projects of Wawao Builders and Topnotch Catalyst Builders.
Martinez said the NBI’s complaints are currently undergoing initial evaluation by a DOJ panel of prosecutors.
Former public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo earlier testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon committee that Revilla had received around 25 percent in commissions from flood control projects. Revilla, through his lawyers, denied the allegation.
Case buildup vs Chiz
Remulla also said his office is still conducting a fact-finding investigation or a case buildup on Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s alleged involvement in the flood control scam.
“It is still under case build up. We have to go with the evidence. That’s how it is, we have limitations. It’s all a process and due process is so important,” Remulla said.
Escudero was among the senators earlier recommended by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to be investigated over alleged receipt of kickbacks from infrastructure contracts.
Probe eyed on Sandro, Martin
Remulla said his office will also look into an investigative report of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) tagging presidential son, Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos and former House Speaker and incumbent Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez in the flood control scam.
Remulla said his office can use the PCIJ report as lead in conducting its own investigation.
“Follow the evidence. Where the evidence leads us, we’ll have to go. Hindi na kami mamimili niyan (We will not be selective). Where the evidence leads us, we will go there. We will bring it to the proper forum,” Remulla said.
In its report, the PCIJ said the lion’s share of the nearly P1.2 trillion in “allocable” funds for infrastructure projects of the DPWH was allocated to Marcos and Romualdez from 2023 to 2025.
The PCIJ said a total of P15.8 billion has been allotted to Marcos and P14.4 billion to Romualdez, for the past three years.
“How the President’s relatives got such huge amounts is a mystery because the ‘allocables’ are based on a formula that only one DPWH undersecretary understands,” the PCIJ said.
Remulla said that while the PCIJ report may appear as hearsay, it can be investigated further by his office.
“If there are supporting documents that will be submitted to us, we will validate the documents, then we start investigating,” Remulla said.
Asked if he can objectively investigate the presidential son and the presidential cousin, Remulla said: “I can do it…I have been a leader all my life, and I have to make hard decisions. That’s part of leadership. Don’t accept a responsibility if you can’t make a hard decision.”
