DOJ coordinating with Ombudsman on flood control case build

DOJ coordinating with Ombudsman on flood control case build-up involving Joel Villanueva The Department of Justice (DOJ) is continuing to work with the Office of the Ombudsman on the case build-up involving alleged anomalies in flood control projects linked to Senator Joel Villanueva, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said on Tuesday. Vida made the statement after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the DOJ's recommendation to file charges against Villanueva did not meet the anti-graft body's standards. "Kung hindi satisfied, we make it satisfactory kasi at the end of the day, we want people accountable. We want those who have done this Republic wrong, to make them accountable," Vida said in an ambush interview. (If they are not satisfied, we will make it satisfactory because, at the end of the day, we want people to be held accountable. We want those who have wronged the Republic accountable.) In March, the DOJ endorsed to the Ombudsman its findings on the malversation complaint against Villanueva over alleged ghost flood control projects. Remulla said the complaint remains under preliminary investigation. "At the end of the day, it is the control of the Ombudsman. We respect their evaluation of the pieces of evidence relayed to them by the DOJ. Again, we will work together," said Vida, who succeeded Remulla as DOJ secretary in October 2025. — VBL, GMA News