Top row, from left: Zaldy Co; Edwin Gardiola. Second row, from left: James Ang Jr.; Jernie Jett Nisay. Third row, from left: Noel Rivera; Augustina Dominique Pancho. Bottom row, from left: Joseph Lara; Francisco Matugas. (Official portraits from the House of Representatives of the Philippines)
ICI and DPWH filed a referral urging Ombudsman action on eight lawmakers tied to flood-control firms. The Ombudsman has begun evaluating the records.
MANILA — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have urged the Office of the Ombudsman to open criminal and administrative cases against eight current and former lawmakers linked to construction firms that received billions of pesos in flood-control and other public works contracts.
ICI chair Andres Reyes Jr. and Public Works Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon delivered the referral to the Ombudsman on Nov. 26, 2025, according to statements released by the Office of the President and DPWH. The submission includes contract records, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, and DPWH project documents covering roughly 1,300 projects valued at about ₱92 billion from 2016 to 2024, based on public briefings by ICI and DPWH.
Eight lawmakers identified over ties to firms that won DPWH contracts
The referral identifies the following officials: Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, Edwin Gardiola, James “Jojo” Ang Jr., Jernie Jett Nisay, Augustina Dominique Pancho, Joseph “Jojo” Lara, Francisco “Lalo” Matugas, and Noel Rivera.
Public disclosures by ICI state that the lawmakers or their relatives appear in SEC filings as owners, stockholders, or officers of firms that secured DPWH contracts.
Reyes says the commission relied on “documentary proof” such as corporate disclosures and DPWH contract data to identify the links. Dizon says the referral includes project records that track the volume and value of contracts awarded to each firm. ICI’s summary indicates that the linked construction companies received large clusters of flood-control contracts across several regions.
Constitutional and anti-graft violations form core of ICI’s case
The ICI–DPWH referral asks the Ombudsman to examine possible violations of:
Article VI, Section 14 of the Constitution, which prohibits members of Congress from holding a direct or indirect financial interest in any government contract during their term;
the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act;
the Government Procurement Reform Act; and
the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
ICI also flagged potential plunder or bribery depending on how the Ombudsman evaluates the flow of funds. At this stage, none of the allegations constitute findings of guilt.
Ombudsman review underway as investigators assess November 26 submissions
The Ombudsman has begun evaluating the referral. Public statements from the Ombudsman’s office confirm that investigators have docketed the submissions and started their internal review. The Ombudsman has not announced any indictments, and officials emphasize that the referral serves only as a basis for further investigation.
The ICI operates as a fact-finding body created under Executive Order No. 94 in September 2025. It does not prosecute cases and holds no authority to determine criminal liability.
Lawmakers deny wrongdoing and signal readiness to face inquiry
Several lawmakers named in the referral deny wrongdoing.
Edwin Gardiola says the allegations “have no truth” and that he intends to answer them “in the proper forum.”
James “Jojo” Ang Jr. says he never used his position for personal gain and welcomes an investigation.
Joseph “Jojo” Lara says he divested from JLL Pulsar Construction before entering Congress and that the firm did not bid for contracts in his district during his term.
Francisco “Lalo” Matugas says he has “nothing to hide” and stands ready to provide documents once a formal inquiry begins.
As of Nov. 28, Co, Nisay, Pancho, and Rivera have not issued detailed public responses, based on available statements from their offices and major media reports.
Flood-control scandal tests Marcos administration’s new oversight commission
The flood-control review gained momentum after public complaints and internal DPWH audits flagged irregularities, including alleged ghost or substandard projects in multiple regions. Those findings led President Marcos to form the ICI and instruct agencies to cooperate fully.
Officials frame the November 26 referral as the commission’s most substantial submission to date. The outcome now rests with the Ombudsman, which must decide whether the evidence supports formal charges.
For now, the eight lawmakers face allegations, not conclusions, and the legal process remains ongoing.
