‘AREAS OF FOCUS’: Ombudsman widens corruption probe to Antique, Iloilo City

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

ILOILO CITY — The Office of the Ombudsman is looking into alleged government anomalies in Antique and has identified Iloilo City as an area of interest, as it widens its corruption investigations beyond the controversial flood-control projects.

“We are looking at Antique. Panay Island… Antique is an area of focus, and Iloilo City,” Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said in a press conference in Cebu City on Monday, Aug. 10.

Remulla did not provide details on the nature or status of the investigations being conducted in Western Visayas.

He made the statement in response to a question about alleged anomalies in government projects that the Ombudsman is investigating apart from the widely reported irregularities involving flood-control projects.

Private citizens in Antique have filed eight separate complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas since July.

The complaints concern alleged irregularities in approximately PHP 7.3 billion worth of infrastructure projects in the province, dating back to 2017.

They name more than 20 current and former public officials, including former House Committee on Appropriations chair Zaldy Co and Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. James “Jojo” Ang Jr.

Remulla said the Ombudsman is also investigating alleged “ghost electricity,” particularly in solar energy projects.

“We are looking at ‘ghost electricity,’ particularly what was done in the solar sector. And of course, it is a very important thing that we have to prove,” he said.

The Ombudsman announced on July 31 that it had ordered a preliminary investigation involving Sen. Loren Legarda, her son, Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste, and former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi over allegations connected with solar-energy projects valued at more than PHP 10 billion.

The office said the alleged scheme left more than PHP 10.44 billion in unpaid obligations after several projects were not developed as promised.

The complaints involve possible violations of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and Republic Act No. 7080, or the Anti-Plunder Law.

They also cover allegations of conflict of interest and abuse of public office.

Remulla said the respondents allegedly conspired to secure exclusive government rights over the country’s solar-energy resources through legislative and regulatory action.

He said Leviste would not have obtained the franchise granted under Republic Act No. 11357 in 2019 without the assistance of his mother, who chaired the Senate Committee on Finance at the time.

Investigators have described the alleged arrangement as potentially creating a “virtual monopoly,” and Remulla has used the term “ghost electricity” to refer to the alleged non-delivery of power.

The case follows a complaint the Department of Energy filed with the Department of Justice in May against Leviste and five officials of Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation over the company’s alleged failure to serve remote and underserved communities as required under its franchise.

Legarda has rejected the accusations, describing them as false and baseless, and said no public funds were involved.

A preliminary investigation determines whether sufficient evidence exists to file charges before the Sandiganbayan. No charges have been filed against any of the respondents.

Antique is considered a political bailiwick of Legarda, who served as the province’s lone congressional district representative from 2019 to 2022.

Remulla said the Ombudsman’s investigations cover various levels of government and different schemes involving the misuse of public funds.

“There are many. It is not just the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). As I said earlier, we are looking at the barangay level as well, and transparency in all offices, including local government offices, has to happen,” he said.

Remulla said the Ombudsman is also pushing for legislation that would make electronic reporting mandatory to improve transparency in government transactions.

“All bidding processes should be recorded, should be open, and should be live. It can be done. These are just digital tools. It does not cost more than the equipment they already have. A cellphone can actually transmit the information needed for everyone to know whether transparency is being practiced,” he said.

“It is not rocket science. We are looking at local governments, we are looking at the DPWH, we are looking at flood control, and we are looking at other schemes that make money out of the government,” Remulla added.