MANILA – Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla warned individuals seeking to become state witnesses in flood control controversy cases not to withhold any information, stressing that immunity will not be granted to those who are not forthcoming.

“There are a lot of those who want to be state witnesses, but I am telling my team, pag hindi forthcoming ang testigo (if the witness is not forthcoming), we will not honor. We will not honor any immunity pag hindi forthcoming ang testigo (if the witness is not forthcoming),” Remulla said during a press briefing on the sidelines of the Ombudsman’s office strategic planning session.

“Kinakailangan talaga, forthcoming ang testigo. Pag meron silang iniiwasan ang topic o subject, magbabago lahat ‘yan,” he added.

(We really need them to be forthcoming. If they are avoiding certain topics, then their status will change.)

In a report, Remulla said developing credible state witnesses in the flood control cases could take time, noting that many prospective witnesses may be influenced by political considerations.

“A lot of people want to be state witnesses, but we need to develop them one by one. Kasi nga, ang problema nito, ang tao iniisip, ang politics. ‘Yung political for the next few years iniisip nila, ah, bagong gobyerno, libre na kami,” he said.

(A lot of people want to be state witnesses, but we need to develop them one by one. The problem is most people are thinking about politics, the politics for the next few years. They think they will go scot-free once the administration changes.)

“Hindi po ganun ‘yan. Tuloy-tuloy po,” Remulla added.

(It doesn’t work that way. The cases will go on.)

There are currently two flood control-related cases pending before the Office of the Ombudsman.

These include malversation and graft charges against resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy Co and 16 others over the alleged P289 million substandard flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Also pending are malversation and graft charges against former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and several others in connection with the alleged P92.8 million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.