MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has referred to the Office of the Ombudsman a case involving Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, House Appropriations Committee chair Zaldy Co, and officials of two construction firms for investigation over possible violations of anti-graft and criminal laws.

In a referral document addressed to the Ombudsman, the DPWH said its mandate under the 1987 Administrative Code includes planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining infrastructure projects such as national highways, flood control systems, and other public works. It added that the agency is responsible for preparing integrated plans for flood control, securing project funding, and bidding and awarding contracts, as well as ensuring that construction follows approved government standards.

Citing Article XII, Section 13 of the 1987 Constitution and Section 15 of Republic Act No. 6770, the DPWH noted that the Ombudsman is empowered to act on complaints against public officials and enforce administrative, civil, and criminal liability “in every case where the evidence warrants.”

According to the report, Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez was elected representative of Leyte’s 1st District in the May 9, 2022 elections and became Speaker of the House of Representatives on July 25, 2022. On the same date, AKO BICOL party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co was elected chair of the House Committee on Appropriations.

The referral includes allegations related to Section 3(b) of Republic Act No. 3019, which prohibits public officials from “directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage, or benefit” in connection with a government contract or transaction in which they have the authority to intervene. The document outlines the elements of this offense, including the requirement that the offender is a public officer and that the consideration received is linked to a government transaction under their official capacity.

The DPWH recommended that the Ombudsman investigate Romualdez, Co, members of the board of Sunwest, Inc. (formerly Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation), Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corporation, and “any and all other parties” for possible violations of Republic Act No. 7080 or the Plunder Law, Sections 3(a), (b), (e), and (h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code on direct bribery.

“It is further noted that the findings herein are only preliminary in nature and without prejudice to any additional findings of liability or the possible implication of other persons that may arise in the course of the evaluation and/or investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman,” the DPWH said.