DOJ usec Cadiz resigns amid flood mess allegations

MANILA, Philippines — Justice undersecretary Jojo Cadiz, who has been linked to the flood control anomalies, has resigned, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

“As far as we know, he has submitted his resignation. We will just provide you updates,” Castro said at a Palace briefing yesterday.

Cadiz was implicated by resigned Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co for allegedly receiving kickbacks from flood control projects on behalf of President Marcos.

Reports said Securities and Exchange Commission documents and data from government websites found that Cadiz has ties to a major construction company that was only incorporated in 2023 through his son, who was 19 at that time. 

Asked whether President Marcos is aware of Cadiz’s ties to the construction company, Castro said, “As of the moment we have not talked about that. But if there’s a need for investigation on that issue, let the investigation be done.”

Ombudsman to investigate 

The Office of the Ombudsman will look into Cadiz’s alleged involvement in the flood control scam.

“Given all the allegations, however, not yet sworn into, but there are other reports as well of his involvement. And so definitely there will be a fact-finding body that will be dedicated to that,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano told reporters yesterday.

“We will have to sift through the evidence. Wherever the evidence takes us, that’s where we will go,” he added.

Acting NBI director

Meanwhile, Marcos has named Angelito Magno as acting director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Malacañang confirmed yesterday.

Magno’s appointment paper was signed by Marcos on Dec. 3. He replaced resigned NBI chief Jaime Santiago.

Magno previously served as NBI officer-in-charge, following Marcos’ acceptance of Santiago’s resignation last month.

He led the NBI regional offices in Central Luzon and Northern Mindanao, where he spearheaded major operations against human trafficking, organized crime and fraud.

Magno was also part of the team that oversaw the operation resulting in the arrest of dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo in Indonesia on Sept. 4, 2024. — Elizabeth Marcelo