Ombudsman denies investigating flood control scam

Ombudsman Samuel Martires, who initially tried to stay neutral regarding a reported probe on flood control scam, has finally decided to set the record straight and denied there is an investigation being conducted.

House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. first broke the news that the Office of the Ombudsman has requested copies of testimonial and documentary evidence from his office regarding the alleged flood control scam.

Andaya made this revelation earlier this year during a congressional hearing in Naga City.

The Camarines Sur lawmaker said in a statement that “the Office of the Ombudsman has noticed red flags of corruption on the evidence presented and on the testimonies made during the hearing,” and he made a commitment to be relentless in “digging for the truth.”

But Martires has now refuted Andaya’s claims, saying these are “inaccurate.”

“Truth of the matter is, we have not seen any red flag even from the horizon because we have not been sufficiently educated as to the subject matter of the privilege speeches of Sen. Lacson and Rep. Andaya, and we have yet to fully investigate the matter,” he said.

Martires likewise said it is “imprecise” for Andaya to report that the Office of the Ombudsman has requested documents concerning the public hearing in Naga City.

He clarified that it was a certain Mr. Baquiran who approached an Ombudsman investigator and asked if their office would need documents generated during the public hearing in Naga City.

“Naturally, any well-meaning investigator will not refuse any information that may enlighten him or the office on the subject matter,” said Martires. But he would like to stress that there is no investigation yet. “As of the moment, we are only in the process of gathering documents,” he said.