Ang says he’ll run in 2028 – graft allegations and all

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Rep. James “Jojo” Ang confirmed he intends to seek a third and final term in the 2028 national elections, vowing to continue public service despite ongoing controversies.

“Yes, in 2028, I will run. Uswag Ilonggo will continue to serve. Whether there is an election or not, we will continue,” he said Monday, March 23.

He added that he treats every day as an election, emphasizing that their service to Ilonggos will continue with sincerity and integrity.

In the 2025 midterm elections, Uswag Ilonggo finished among the top 10 national party-list groups by vote share, securing one seat in the House of Representatives.

Under the Philippine party-list system, groups representing marginalized and underrepresented sectors can win up to three seats in the House of Representatives based on the proportion of votes they receive nationally. Representatives are limited to three consecutive terms of three years each.

Ang said he remains confident in public trust even as his name has been linked to alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

“I still believe I have their (Ilonggos) trust. I, myself, do not even know my name is being dragged in the flood control anomaly,” he said, adding that he maintains a “clear conscience” and is not concerned by the allegations.

“The issues, you will only be afraid if there is truth to that,” he emphasized.

The accusations stem from claims by contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya that Ang, along with other congressmen and government officials, allegedly demanded commissions to ensure contracts proceeded without delays or issues.

The Discayas claimed lawmakers like Ang approached them after their companies won bids and demanded payoffs to avoid issues such as project termination.

Ang has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as baseless and expressing willingness to face any investigation into the matter.

In November 2025, the Independent Commission on Infrastructure recommended that the Office of the Ombudsman file civil and administrative cases against Ang and seven other lawmakers.

The commission cited potential constitutional violations, including holding indirect financial interests in government contracts during their terms, which is prohibited under Article VI, Section 14 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

The Independent Commission on Infrastructure was created by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2024 to investigate allegations of corruption and irregularities in government infrastructure projects, with the authority to recommend the filing of cases before the Ombudsman and other prosecutorial bodies.