Ombudsman Targets Lawmakers Alleged to Operate as "Shadow Contractors" in Flood Control Projects

The government’s multibillion-peso flood control initiative has come under renewed scrutiny amid allegations that several lawmakers, including former Pampanga representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., are covertly managing construction companies that secure lucrative public works contracts. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed Gonzales’ involvement as part of a growing investigation into this controversial practice often referred to as “shadow contracting.”

Remulla emphasized that this long-standing issue, where legislators quietly function as their own contractors, will no longer be tolerated. He highlighted that such conduct infringes upon conflict-of-interest statutes upheld by various anti-corruption laws, marking the end of what he described as an era of impunity in government project allocations.

The inquiry has expanded to include nine additional elected officials suspected of similar dual roles. According to Remulla, the complexity of the probe stems from the deliberate concealment of ownership or operational ties between these politicians and their construction enterprises. While some have attempted to disguise their involvement meticulously, others have grown less cautious, making them immediate subjects of investigation.

Gonzales responded by asserting that the claims against him are not new, noting that prior allegations were dismissed by the Ombudsman’s office two years ago for lack of evidence. He expressed openness to scrutiny but denied any ongoing formal probe or violations related to prohibited interests.

This renewed focus on Gonzales and others coincides with the broader flood control controversy shaking political circles, characterized by high-profile asset seizures, subpoena issuances, and impending legal actions tied to questionable infrastructure dealings. Remulla’s statements signify a more aggressive approach from the Ombudsman aimed at disrupting the entrenched nexus between political influence and private gain in the public works sector.

While the investigation’s final outcomes remain uncertain, the intensified oversight highlights the government’s commitment to exposing and addressing entrenched corruption risks that have long shadowed infrastructure procurement processes.