Former Lawmaker Welcomes Probe, Claims Case Already Dismissed
Former Third District Congressman Dong Gonzales has declared his openness to any investigation following reports that the Office of the Ombudsman is examining his alleged connections to a construction company that secured approximately ₱1.6 billion worth of flood-control projects. The development comes after Bilyonaryo News Channel revealed that Ombudsman Boying Remulla confirmed the ongoing investigation.
Gonzales Questions Investigation Awareness
In a Viber message sent to CLTV36 News, Gonzales clarified that he has not received any formal notification from the Office of the Ombudsman regarding an investigation into his alleged prohibited interest. "While I welcome any inquiry on the matter, I am not aware of an ongoing Ombudsman formal investigation against me on prohibited interest," Gonzales stated emphatically.
The former congressman pointed out that this appears to be a recurring issue that had already been resolved by the judicial system. According to Gonzales, the same allegations were previously dismissed by the Ombudsman in 2023 due to insufficient evidence and lack of merit.
Previous Case Dismissed in 2023
Gonzales recalled the earlier legal proceedings, stating: "I recall that a case against me involving the same projects filed before the Ombudsman was dismissed sometime in 2023 for lack of merit." This previous dismissal forms the cornerstone of his defense against the current allegations.
The construction company at the center of the controversy, A.D. Gonzales, Jr. Construction, secured massive government contracts for flood-control infrastructure projects across the region. The substantial value of these projects—approximately ₱1.6 billion—has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and proper bidding procedures.
Recycled Allegations or New Evidence?
Gonzales characterized the renewed attention as merely "recycled issues" being brought back into public discourse without substantial new evidence. His statement suggests that political motivations might be behind the resurfacing of these allegations.
The timing of this investigation announcement comes as the political landscape continues to evolve, though Gonzales maintains his position as willing to cooperate with any legitimate inquiry while standing by his previous clearance from the Ombudsman.
As the situation develops, all eyes remain on the Office of the Ombudsman to determine whether new evidence has emerged that would warrant reopening a case previously dismissed for lack of merit.
