MANILA – The Office of the Ombudsman assured that assets linked to individuals and construction firms charged in the alleged anomalous flood control projects will remain frozen even after initial freeze orders lapse.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the assets will continue to be preserved as long as there are existing asset preservation orders tied to civil forfeiture proceedings.

“Naka freeze pa din po ang mga assets nila sa bangko (Their assets are still frozen in banks). I would just like to clarify that,” Clavano said during a press briefing on March 26.

Clavano emphasized that the scale of the alleged flood control scam requires public understanding, describing it as one of the largest controversies in the country’s history.

He also highlighted the role of the Anti-Money Laundering Council in the investigation.

“Mahalaga po ang AMLC, at magaling ang mga tao sa AMLC. Marami na sila nabibigay na information sa atin, (The AMLC is really important, and the people from AMLC are really good. They have given us so many information),” he said.

According to Clavano, the AMLC has been instrumental in freezing billions of pesos in assets and filing civil forfeiture cases currently pending in court.

He explained that freeze orders issued by the council are limited to six months. However, the continued filing of civil forfeiture cases ensures that the assets remain under preservation beyond this period.

He also said: “We hit them where it hurts. At yun ang pera na nakuha nila sa flood control (And that is with the money they got from flood control). We will not forget that, kasi iyon talaga ang mas masakit sa kanila, ang makuha natin ang perang talagang sa atin (because that is what is most painful for them, that we got the money that is truly ours).”

Data shared by the AMLC showed that assets amounting to P27.8 billion have so far been frozen in connection with the case. These are linked to nearly 900 high-profile individuals and 650 entities allegedly involved in the scheme.

The frozen assets include around 8,000 bank accounts, more than 200 real estate properties, as well as several vehicles and aircraft.