The Office of the Ombudsman has placed Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Rep. Jojo Ang and Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel “Bong” Rivera under preliminary investigation over alleged conflict of interest involving companies linked to them that reportedly secured government infrastructure contracts.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano disclosed the development as the Ombudsman faced allegations of selective justice following the protest staged by thousands of Iglesia Ni Cristo members against the impending filing of plunder charges against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
Clavano said the Ombudsman is not focusing solely on Marcoleta, stressing that complaints against other lawmakers are also moving forward.
According to Clavano, investigators have already endorsed the complaints against Rivera and Ang for preliminary investigation.
Both lawmakers have been linked to companies that allegedly received substantial government contracts and are believed to be either owned by them or under their beneficial ownership.
Rivera has been linked to Tarlac 3-G Construction & Development Corporation, which he reportedly owns with his wife, Concepcion Vice Mayor Evelyn Rivera.
Earlier, Pyra Lucas, founder of United Pilipino Against Crime and Corruption, filed a complaint against the Rivera couple, accusing them of allegedly conspiring to channel around P600 million worth of government contracts to a company they supposedly own.
Lucas also alleged that since 2018, Rivera had signed around 30 government contracts awarded to the same company.
She also asked the Ombudsman to investigate the couple’s alleged mansions, luxury vehicles, landholdings, and resort properties.
Ang, meanwhile, has been linked to International Builders Corp. and Allencon Development Corp., Iloilo-based firms allegedly owned by his uncle, Alfonso “Ponso” Tan.
Ang is among the lawmakers recommended by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to face criminal and administrative complaints over alleged irregularities in flood control projects. He has previously denied using his government position for personal gain.
Clavano said the complaints against Rivera and Ang had been under investigation for some time, but the plunder case against Marcoleta moved faster because of the senator’s alleged admissions.