NOW that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla himself has revealed the reported involvement of Sen. Mark Villar and his mother, former Sen. Cynthia Villar, in alleged irregularities surrounding government-funded flood control projects, Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos urged the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to act swiftly and file the necessary charges against them.
Santos said the Ombudsman’s statements only reinforced earlier concerns he raised regarding possible conflicts of interest and misuse of public funds under the Villar family’s network of contractors.
“This revelation by the Ombudsman confirms what many of us have been concerned about — the existence of deeply rooted conflicts of interest in the government’s infrastructure spending,” Santos said.
“The ICI must demonstrate its independence and act without fear or favor. No one should be above the law — not even powerful political families,” he added.
Santos earlier called for an investigation into the reported ₱18 billion worth of government contracts allegedly awarded to companies linked to former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary and now Senator Mark Villar.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has since confirmed that Senator Villar and other members of his family, including Senator Camille Villar, are under investigation for their reported ties to a firm engaged in government contracting.
According to reports, one of the key figures in the controversy is former Las Piñas Councilor Carlo Aguilar, owner of I&E Construction Corporation, who is said to be Sen. Mark Villar’s first cousin — a relationship Ombudsman Remulla described as a “prohibited interest.”
“They’re related interests. They only have one interest. It’s just one relationship. It’s just one family,” Remulla said.
Remulla further revealed that individuals associated with contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya have allegedly used their influence to shield the Villars from accountability amid ongoing inquiries into irregularities in flood control projects.
“When Mark became secretary, that’s when they grew big. That’s when they got so many projects,” Remulla told GMA-7’s Saksi.
While Remulla clarified that no direct evidence has yet been established against former Senator Cynthia Villar, he noted that the Discayas appeared to have “swapped favors” with powerful figures to gain access to lucrative government contracts.
“They wanted to be part of the circle. They wouldn’t have been in if they didn’t make extra effort,” Remulla said.
Rep. Santos emphasized that these revelations should compel the ICI and other relevant agencies to pursue accountability without political bias.
“The Filipino people deserve transparency and justice. If these allegations are true, they represent a betrayal of public trust,” Santos said.
“The integrity of our flood control and infrastructure programs — projects funded by taxpayers — must never be compromised for personal or family gain,” he stressed.
