MANILA — On Wednesday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla disclosed that a middleman had promised him and his brother, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, P1 billion in exchange for “silencing” the current inquiry into the unusual flood control projects.

According to the DILG chairman, Remulla and an unidentified individual involved in a flood control project received the offer through a common friend.

He said, “May nabanggit sa ‘kin kung pwede raw. Sabi ko, ‘Huwag na ako kausapin. Huwag na tayo mag-usap kung ganyan lang.’ Tinigil ko na ‘yung usapan,”

According to Remulla, the money was given in exchange for “quieting down” the investigation, specifically to keep the suspect from facing charges.

He said to have told President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. about the incident and turned down the offer.

Remulla said, “It was a private meeting and I informed the President immediately what was going on. And I said, ‘Okay.’ He knows it was bound to happen, but he acknowledged na tama ‘yung ginawa ko dahil tumanggi na ako,”

The chief of DILG refuses to reveal the identity of the suspected briber, emphasizing that no crime was committed and that the offer only came through a middleman.

The DILG chief stated that the approach was made through acquaintances and that he did not directly know the individuals involved.

Remulla emphasized that neither pressure nor money will derail efforts to hold officials and contractors accountable for alleged anomalies in flood control projects—a scandal that has embroiled several high-profile figures and prompted multiple investigations by government agencies.

Law enforcement has reportedly sought to execute arrest warrants for many individuals of interest in the case, and authorities have reportedly frozen about ₱20 billion in assets thought to have acquired illegally from questionable flood control contracts.

At least one fugitive key suspect, former congressman Zaldy Co, is believed to be abroad, with government watchdogs exploring ways to bring him back to face charges despite the lack of an extradition treaty with countries like Portugal.

The revelation of a reported bribery attempt has only intensified public scrutiny of the probe, which has already sparked widespread criticism of corruption in government infrastructure projects and driven civil society rallies demanding accountability.

Remulla and his brother’s decision to reject the alleged offer has been highlighted by supporters as a stand against corruption, while critics continue to call for transparency and swift legal action against all involved, regardless of status.

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