MANILA – The complaint against Sen. Joel Villanueva over alleged irregularities in flood control projects is now under preliminary investigation, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said on Monday.

“’Yung nga, for PI [preliminary investigation] na (That one is already for preliminary investigation),” Remulla said when asked about the status of the complaint against the senator.

In a report, it said that the Ombudsman did not provide additional details regarding the ongoing preliminary investigation.

Remulla also disclosed that the Office of the Ombudsman is evaluating two or three complaints involving senators, with one case already ready for filing before the Sandiganbayan.

“Dalawa o tatlo, ’yan ang tinitingnan namin kung mahihinog na. Pero ’yung isa hinog na hinog na para i-file sa Sandiganbayan (We are looking at two or three cases to determine if they are ripe for filing. But one is already more than ripe to be filed before the Sandiganbayan),” he said.

During the same press briefing, Remulla identified Sen. Rodante Marcoleta as the lawmaker whose plunder case is expected to be filed before the Sandiganbayan this week.

On May 26, Remulla said the Ombudsman could file a plunder case against Villanueva before the Sandiganbayan within two weeks over his alleged involvement in the flood control controversy.

On June 19, the Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) questioned the delay in the filing of charges against Villanueva, noting the Ombudsman’s earlier statement that the case was already “ripe” for prosecution.

The group also said the delay coincided with recent political realignments in the Senate, including Villanueva’s reported transfer to the majority bloc led by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.