Ombudsman probes P100 million transfer to 2 lawmakers

MANILA, Philippines — A top contractor’s P100-million bank transfer to two congressmen is being probed by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.

“One of 15 top contractors and two active congressmen are involved. That transfer of money is a questionable transaction traced by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC),” Remulla told Bilyonaryo News Channel on Wednesday.

President Marcos had identified 15 contractors who bagged the highest number of contracts for flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The two lawmakers were not among those identified by contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya as allegedly receiving kickbacks in exchange for awarding flood control projects to their construction firms, Remulla said.

Graft probers of the ombudsman, aided by the AMLC and National Bureau of Investigation, will initiate a fact-finding investigation, he noted.

Over 100 bank statements were sent by the AMLC to the ombudsman.

About 12 to 15 congressmen acting as contractors in infrastructure projects will be prosecuted, Remulla said last week.

Leviste returns salary

In another development, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste has returned the salary and office budget he received since his term started, vowing to remain independent until the DPWH’s 2026 budget is improved.

The neophyte billionaire lawmaker is among 12 congressmen who opposed on Monday the proposed P6.793-trillion 2026 national budget.

“After all the flood control hearings, we should not approve the current prices of DPWH projects. We need to reduce DPWH project costs by 25 percent to eliminate the possible P150 billion in kickbacks,” Leviste said. –  Arnell Ozaeta