THE Office of the Ombudsman is aiming to jail up to 60 individuals involved in corruption related to flood control projects before Christmas, according to Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano, following a statement from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon.
Clavano emphasized the importance of due process, stating, “that is definitely the goal… may proseso tayong dapat sundin… pero determinado kaming maipakulong sila kung mapatunayang guilty sa krimen (we have a process to follow… but we are determined to imprison them if proven guilty of the crime).”
Clavano added that even if the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is questioned in court, the investigation will continue with the help of the PNP, NBI, and the Ombudsman’s fact-finding teams. All referrals from the ICI are already with the Ombudsman and are currently pending, and the office has the authority to act on any complaint.
The Ombudsman also plans to create a dashboard to consolidate all pending cases from the ICI, DOJ, and Ombudsman to make the number of cases, those involved, and the status of each case clearer to the public.
metrosundaily
