Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla stated that the “impunity of corruption” began during the Duterte administration, and those responsible must be held accountable as it continues to persist today.
In an interview on Facts First with Christian Esguerra vlog, Remulla revealed that the Ombudsman’s investigation against Senator Bong Go is progressing.
Remulla said contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya are protecting Go because their company began to grow after entering a joint venture with CLTG Builders, owned by Go’s father, Desiderio Go, in 2016.
“Ayaw nila (mga Discaya) ituro ang CLTG joint venture. Ayaw nilang sabihin, simpleng commonsense, nakipagtrabaho sila sa kompanyang yun, they would not even talk about it,” Remulla said.
“Probably siya (Go) ang nagbigay ng break sa kanila, lumaki sila dahil sa CLTG nagtuluy-tuloy silang nakialam na sa buong Pilipinas. Tuluy-tuloy yung gameplan nila na mas marami silang nakuhang kontrata. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, nag-tie-up sila Sept. or October 2016.”
Remulla confirmed the investigation is active.
“We’re working on it. Kailangan tumbukin kasi ano yan eh, sa impunity of corruption, diyan nagsimula yan eh. Mula noong ginagawa yan, then nagkaroon ng pandemic, nagkaroon ng Pharmally. Nung wala talagang nahuhuli, palakihan na lang ng nakaw ang nagyayari. Did you feel that sa Pharmally? Wala nang natakot kasi ang laking eskandalo nyan, wala pa ring nangyari.”
Philip Salvador and Roberto Bernardo
Remulla identified actor Philip Salvador as the one who introduced Go to former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who allegedly played a major role in widespread corruption from the Duterte to Marcos Jr. administrations.
“Kasi nga si Bong Go, through Philip Salvador, had Bernardo appointed as asec first, then usec just a couple of months after… through Bong Go and Philip Salvador,” Remulla said.
“Rahrah boy, lagi siyang cheer leader ni Bong Go kahit nung nangampanya si Sen. Bong Go noong 2019 lagi niya kasama si Philip Salvador,” he added.
Jinggoy Estrada and Roberto Bernardo
Remulla suggested Bernardo is protecting Senator Jinggoy Estrada.
“I think so, at the rate things are going, gusto siya protektahan ni Bernardo, very obvious… nung mayor ng Manila si Erap, siya yung city engineer, at naging close din siya kay Jinggoy,” the Ombudsman stated.
Estrada was implicated by former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara for allegedly receiving kickbacks from flood control projects.
Sandiganbayan and Pork Barrel Acquittals
Remulla said he plans to speak with Sandiganbayan judges to clarify their basis for decisions.
“Kaya nga kailangan kausapin ang Sandiganbayan… Pero paano sila na-acquit? Kaya dapat kausapin ang korte habang maaga para magkaalaman na.”
“Will everything be fair? Kasi parang nagmimilagrong santo, hindi natin alam. Puro acquittal di ba?”
He likened the pork barrel scam to ghost flood control projects, saying billions in PDAF went to fake NGOs and beneficiaries.
DBM Also Under Scrutiny
Remulla believes the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will be implicated:
“We’re looking at it. Very awkward nga yan kapag hindi umabot sa DBM yan… Hindi naman mare-release ang unprogrammed funds kung wala silang permiso,” the Ombudsman stated. (ZIA LUNA)
