77 officials blocked from traveling

THE Office of the Ombudsman restricted 77 government officials and personnel, including several lawmakers, from traveling abroad as they face scrutiny for alleged involvement in the flood control kickback scheme.

“We requested assistance from the Bureau of Immigration to hold 77 people under fact-finding investigation under FTRO (Foreign Travel Restriction Order),” Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla told a press briefing on Wednesday.

Mr. Remulla said the sought-after FTRO is part of the Ombudsman’s mandate to prevent individuals under investigation from leaving the country without authorization.

The measure, he said, aligns with existing rules requiring government officials to secure official travel clearance before departing for abroad.

“It is something that we need in our legal system. Hindi pwedeng takas lang nang takas (They can’t just keep running away),” he added.

Mr. Remulla did not identify the individuals covered by the request.

The move comes a week after the Ombudsman filed a malversation and two graft charges against former Party-list Rep. Elizaldy S.Co, several Department of Public Works and Highways officials, and the board of directors of Sunwest Construction firm.

The charges stem from the allegedly substandard P289-million road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro — the first case brought before the Sandiganbayan linked to flood control corruption scandal. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking