Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed that his office’s task force investigating infrastructure projects allegedly tied to the Villar family has uncovered what veteran investigators described as “the most massive” corruption they have ever seen.
In an interview on Facts First with Christian Esguerra on Sunday, November 16, Remulla said the task force has already conducted inspections from Las Piñas to Cavite.
“Meron nung sinabi kong may task force ako sa Villar, gumagalaw na ’yun, gumagalaw na ’yun. Inikutan na nila. Umikot na sila ng Las Piñas hanggang Cavite. Inikutan na nila. Hindi kami tumitigil,” Remulla said, adding that seasoned investigators were “shocked” by their findings.
He noted that possible charges could include conflict of interest and civil forfeiture.
“In the words of the person investigating na beterano na sa Ombudsman’s office, kinilabutan daw siya nung nakita niya ’yung dinaanan niyang mga lugar… Kasi hindi siya nakahanap ng ganoong ka-massive na gawain related to graft and corruption, the most massive that she has ever seen,” Remulla said.
Roads, River Walls Allegedly Built for Villar Properties
Remulla detailed the alleged scheme, saying government funds were used to construct roads and river walls that directly benefited Villar-linked properties.
“May mga roads kasi ginawa talaga to benefit their properties. May mga river wall na ginawa to benefit their properties. ’Yung mga roads na ginawa from their one property to the other… ’yun pa rin. Napatunayan dito, tuloy-tuloy pala ’yan. Hindi pala tumigil,” he said, citing allegations first raised by Lito Banayo and Ping Lacson in 2010.
When Esguerra summarized the accusations as using public funds for private real estate developments, Remulla replied:
“Yes. That’s a very simple way to say it, but it’s more complicated than that kasi pati Bangko Sentral pinasok nila, pati ’yung mga may conflicted na sila pinasok nila.”
PrimeWater Also Under Scrutiny
Remulla added that the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) is investigating PrimeWater, a Villar-linked firm.
“Ang dami nilang pinasok na negosyo everywhere,” he said, noting that even in Cavite, multiple issues have surfaced.
He quipped that this might be one area where he and Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga could “see eye to eye,” given Barzaga’s criticism of PrimeWater. (JCNE)
