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Ghio Ong - The Philippine Star
February 14, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to justify their findings that linked former Ako Bicol party-list congressman and fugitive Elizaldy Co to an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
In a statement, the high tribunal declared that “no TRO was issued” following Co’s request for a temporary restraining order included in his petition for certiorari filed in late January 2026.
The petition “questions the Resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman finding probable cause to charge Co and others for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as malversation of public funds, in connection with reported anomalies in a government flood control project,” it explained.
The SC also ordered Remulla and the ICI “to comment within 10 days from notice on the petition for certiorari filed by Co.”
Co pointed out the interim report by the ICI, which was the basis of Remulla’s resolution that found probable cause to charge him, did not recommend graft and malversation charges against him, according to earlier reports.
He also accused Remulla of coming up with the resolution against him out of “pre-judgment” and the investigation against him done with “undue haste.”
Remulla charged Co for his alleged involvement in the substandard P289-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
The petition by Co also revealed he was in Sweden last month, based on an apostille prepared by a notary public in the capital Stockholm.
Impartial trial
The camp of former senator Ramon Revilla Jr. hopes the Sandiganbayan will remain “impartial” in hearing his case linked to the anomalous flood control projects after a justice decided to continue hearing it.
Francesca Señga, spokesperson for the Revilla camp, said they would follow the court’s ruling.
Previously, the Sandiganbayan Third Division denied its motion for the recusal of Associate Justice Karl Miranda in the malversation case against him involving the alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
