MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman is preparing cases that could lead to the issuance of arrest warrants against several senators as early as next week, Ombudsman Samuel “Boying” Remulla said in an interview aired Monday, December 8.

Remulla confirmed that his office is building cases involving Sen. Chiz Escudero, Sen. Mark Villar, and former senators Nancy Binay and Grace Poe. When asked if warrants might be issued soon, he replied: “Possible… maybe next week.”

“We’re doing the case build-up now. We’re doing preliminary work. Lahat ng kailangang gawin, ginagawa,” he said. (We’re doing the case build-up now. We’re doing preliminary work. Everything that needs to be done, we’re doing.)

He explained that a case build-up involves gathering evidence before prosecutors decide whether to initiate a preliminary investigation. Complaints, such as those referred by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), undergo evaluation and fact-finding before any case is formally filed.

Remulla emphasized that the office is not rushing, saying, “Kasi nga, ang sinasabi namin, haste makes waste. Baka mamaya file ka ng file ng kaso madismiss naman, para kang gumawa ng anti-virus mo diba? Hindi natin gustong gawin yan.” (Because what we’re saying is, haste makes waste. Maybe later we’ll just file a dismissal case, right? We don’t want to do that.)

He also noted that the Ombudsman aims to avoid overburdening courts with weak cases that waste time.

The ICI formally referred Poe, Escudero, Villar, and Binay to the Ombudsman on December 3 for expanded investigation, following allegations by former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo that the lawmakers allegedly received kickbacks from flood control projects. All the lawmakers denied the accusations. Binay cited a lack of involvement and capable staff, Villar called the claims “baseless,” and Poe said she has never participated in corruption.

Remulla also hinted at possible warrants for former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., describing his case as “low-hanging fruit” due to its long-standing investigation. Revilla, included in the ICI recommendation alongside nine others, faces allegations related to plunder, bribery, corruption, and administrative offenses. His camp expressed disappointment, noting he has not received any subpoena or formal complaint.

The Ombudsman’s office continues case build-ups against high-profile officials linked to the flood control controversy, with investigations relying on affidavits and testimonies, including those of Bernardo presented during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing in September.