MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman said it remains open to further examining allegations raised by alleged former bodyguards of fugitive lawmaker Zaldy Co in connection with the flood control controversy, but stressed that the claims must be properly supported through individual sworn statements.

Lawyer Karen Batu of the Ombudsman said during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee consultative meeting that the group’s joint affidavit was not sufficient to immediately move the matter into a formal investigative process.

She explained that the office required each witness to submit separate affidavits detailing their personal knowledge, noting inconsistencies in the collective submission.

“Yes, because it’s like collective, it’s just a joint affidavit,” Batu said when Sen. Bam Aquino asked whether the Ombudsman had sought individual affidavits from the former bodyguards.

Batu said not all members of the group could have witnessed the same incidents being alleged.

“Hindi puwedeng lahat sila iisa lang ang sinasabi kasi yung mga sinasabi nilang dinala nila, sila lang naman doon ang nandun na present so others hindi naman din present,” she said.

Aquino said the Ombudsman’s position showed that the allegations were not being disregarded, but needed to pass through proper legal procedures to determine their evidentiary value.

Batu added that if the group submits individual affidavits that are sufficient in form and substance, the case may proceed to preliminary investigation.

“If it’s sufficient in form and substance, if it’s in the form of a complete affidavit, and it’s sufficient in form and substance, puwede po siyang mag-undergo ng preliminary investigation,” she said.

If the submissions remain insufficient, she said the Ombudsman may refer the matter to its field investigation office for fact-finding.

National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag also told the committee that investigators had asked the former bodyguards to execute individual statements, but they declined.

“We can’t go to the legal route because of what they said. And when we brought them a statement, one by one, they refused to sign,” Matibag said.

He said separate affidavits are necessary to establish each witness’ personal account rather than relying on a collective narrative.

Meanwhile, DOJ Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon reported that 14 flood control-related cases had been endorsed to the Department of Justice for preliminary investigation as of June 5.

He said 13 of the cases had already been resolved and forwarded to the Ombudsman for approval, while one case remained under editing prior to final review.

Fadullon added that some cases had already been filed before the courts, while PHP841.38 million in public funds had been recovered and turned over to the Land Bank of the Philippines.

He also said seven individuals are currently under the DOJ’s Witness Protection Program. (PNA)