Camille Naredo

Office of the Ombudsman main building. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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Office of the Ombudsman

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178704202316520171108-office-ombudsman-main-MD-2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Office of the Ombudsman main building. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Office of the Ombudsman main building. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA—The Office of the Ombudsman is conducting preliminary investigations into several conflict-of-interest complaints against lawmakers and former lawmakers linked to construction firms that secured government infrastructure projects, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said.</p><p>The complaints are being investigated as the Ombudsman continues to look into alleged irregularities in flood control projects involving members of Congress and their families or associates.</p><p>Clavano said the flooding experienced on Monday urged the agency to continue its work.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/18/why-was-flooding-so-bad-in-metro-manila-mmda-cites-extreme-rain-drainage-limits-1412">READ: Why was flooding so bad in Metro Manila?</a></div><p>&quot;We came out with a press conference today to show the public that we are still doing our work. Despite everything that is happening, we wanted to apprise the public on the individuals and the cases that they are facing so that the public is aware and apprised of the case status and development in each case,&quot; Clavano said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CONFLICT OF INTEREST CASES</strong></div><p>According to Clavano, a conflict-of-interest complaint against former Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio &quot;Dong&quot; Gonzalez Jr. is now up for resolution following preliminary investigation.</p><p>&quot;Former Representative Gonzalez is facing a conflict of interest complaint over reports that a firm linked to his family secured hundreds of millions of pesos in DPWH contracts during his time in Congress.&quot;</p><p>Tarlac 2nd District Rep. Cristy Coelho Angeles is also facing a conflict-of-interest complaint before the Ombudsman.</p><p>Clavano said Angeles is married to Victor M. Angeles, who manages Northern Builders, a construction firm that secured flood control projects between 2022 and 2024, when she was in office.</p><p>&quot;We confirm that this case is now under preliminary investigation and is up for resolution,&quot; he said. </p><p>Former Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. and now Gov. Johnny Pimentel is likewise facing a conflict-of-interest complaint that is under preliminary investigation after being linked to a corporation that has secured government infrastructure contracts.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/5/14/surigao-del-sur-officials-face-plunder-raps-over-infrastructure-projects-1758">READ: Surigao del Sur officials face plunder raps over infrastructure projects</a></div><p>&quot;We are currently awaiting the filing of his counter affidavit before this case can move forward to resolution,&quot; Clavano said.</p><p>The complaints against Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and former ACT-CIS Rep. Edvic Yap are also under preliminary investigation.</p><p>The Yap brothers have been tagged as persons of interest over alleged substandard flood control projects in La Union linked to a construction firm that the Ombudsman identified as being under their beneficial ownership.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/9/eric-yap-edvic-yap-assets-frozen-due-to-anomalous-flood-control-projects-marcos-jr-0600">READ: Marcos says Eric Yap, Edvic Yap assets frozen due to anomalous flood control projects</a></div><p>The Sandiganbayan previously issued a precautionary hold departure order against the Yap brothers and assets tied to the firm have been frozen. </p><p><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/4/edvic-yap-party-list-rep-tagged-in-flood-control-mess-resigns-from-house-1916">Edvic Yap resigned</a> from his congressional seat in February amid the controversy.</p><p>Meanwhile, <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/31/ombudsman-probers-seek-malversation-graft-charges-vs-gardiola-2303">CWS Party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola</a> is facing a separate complaint for malversation of public funds, apart from the conflict-of-interest complaint against him.</p><p>Clavano said the amount involved is alleged to exceed P8.8 million, which carries a penalty of reclusion perpetua and makes the offense non-bailable.</p><p>&quot;This case is currently under preliminary investigation at the Office of the ombudsman. An order for him to file his counter-affidavit is set to be issued so that he may formally answer the charges against him at this stage of the proceedings,&quot; he said. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SENATORS ALSO UNDER PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION</strong></div><p>Clavano said complaints against senators Chiz Escudero and Joel Villanueva in connection with the flood control controversy also remain under preliminary investigation.</p><p>He also denied claims that the Ombudsman is delaying cases against the senators because of the ongoing impeachment trial.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/30/doj-to-revisit-villanueva-s-malversation-case-over-flood-control-scam-1340">READ: DOJ to revisit Villanueva&#x27;s malversation case over flood control scam</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/28/escudero-answers-flood-control-kickback-allegations-in-complaint-affidavit-ombudsman-1134">READ: Escudero answers flood control kickback allegations in complaint-affidavit – Ombudsman</a></div><p>&quot;Hindi naman po. Hindi kasi talaga pwede na manguna ang politika sa trabaho ng Ombudsman dahil ang trabaho ng Ombudsman is really accountability and prevention that should proceed regardless of the political climate,&quot; he said. </p><p>&quot;So it does not matter kung aling panig ho ang mga senador, mga congressman, mga mayors even. As long as the evidence is clear, the Ombudsman will continue its work to make sure that all those who have done wrong will be held accountable.&quot;</p><p>Asked if the Ombudsman would hesitate to file charges against another sitting senator, Clavano said it would not.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>2025 NATIONAL BUDGET PROBE</strong></div><p>Clavano said the Ombudsman is also looking into the Convergence and Special Support Program (CSSP) as part of its separate fact-finding investigation focused on the 2025 national budget.</p><p>The program was previously mentioned by former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, who said billions worth of infrastructure projects under the fund lacked required supporting technical studies and project unit-cost estimates.</p><p>Clavano said the Ombudsman is concerned about the way infrastructure projects are included in government budgets.</p><p>&quot;So kailangan, or hinihingi po ni Ombudsman na kasali ang opisina namin sa budget process para masigurado natin na hindi mauulit yung nangyari sa 2025 budget,&quot; he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>BONOAN&#x27;S LIST OF PROPONENTS</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178704211306520260602-flood-control-corruption-bonoan-arraignment-JC7.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, in his wheelchair,  leaves the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City after appearing for his arraignment on graft charges alongside Senator Jinggoy Estrada and other DPWH officials on June 2, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, in his wheelchair,  leaves the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City after appearing for his arraignment on graft charges alongside Senator Jinggoy Estrada and other DPWH officials on June 2, 2026. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></strong></div><p>The Ombudsman is also interested in former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan&#x27;s purported list of proponents of the Senate Leadership Fund and its counterpart allocation for members of the House of Representatives.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/12/bonoan-set-to-testify-in-revilla-trial-0850">READ: At least P500-million DPWH ‘leadership funds’ allocated to each senator in FY 2025—Bonoan</a></div><p>Bonoan previously testified before the Sandiganbayan that the Senate Leadership Fund was an ad hoc allocation intended to accommodate senators&#x27; priority infrastructure projects in the DPWH&#x27;s proposed budget. He said P24 billion was allocated for the proposed 2024 budget and that a similar system existed for House members.</p><p>Asked if the Ombudsman is interested in the list of proponents mentioned by Bonoan, Clavano said: &quot;Yes, we are interested in the list, and we have taken steps to obtain that affidavit so that we can study the allegations therein further.&quot;</p><p>Clavano said discussions with Bonoan regarding his possible cooperation are ongoing.</p><p>&quot;The Ombudsman would like to see a very open and voluntary statement on his part without leaving out any details,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The Office of the Ombudsman is conducting preliminary investigations into several conflict-of-interest complaints against lawmakers and former lawmakers linked to construction firms that secured government infrastructure projects.</p>

The Office of the Ombudsman is conducting preliminary investigations into several conflict-of-interest complaints against lawmakers and former lawmakers linked to construction firms that secured government infrastructure projects.

Ombudsman: Several lawmakers face preliminary probe over conflict of interest

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Ombudsman: Several lawmakers face preliminary probe over conflict of interest

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 18, 2026 04:38 PM PHT

Read More:

Ombudsman

flood control

conflict of interest

House of Representatives

Philippine Senate

Mico Clavano

Manuel Bonoan

DPWH

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