00:00Government's crusade to hold the bad actors in the flood control mess into account took a major step forward with the first batch of indictments filed by the Ombudsman with the Sandigan buy-in.
00:11And lawmakers in the House are optimistic this development could pave the way for their ex-colleagues' expedited return to the country to face the charges against that.
00:22Our Melis Moros sums up in this report.
00:24The House Minority Block welcomed the progress in the complaints filed against personalities allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects in the country.
00:35This after the Office of the Ombudsman formally filed cases before the Sandigan Bayan against former Ako Bicol Partilist Rep. Zaldico and others implicated in the issue.
00:47According to Ako Bayan Partilist Rep. Percy Sendanya and Kamangagawa Partilist Rep. Eli San Fernando,
00:53This only proves that Ko should really return to the country to explain his side.
00:59Napakahaligang development itong filing ng kaso dahil nakikita natin na maaari na talagang eventually makancel yung passport at makumpel na umuwi si former Representative Zaldico.
01:10And we welcome this development.
01:12In the latest meeting of the House Minority Block, they collectively called for their former colleague to come back to the Philippines.
01:19The minority block also urged authorities to provide protection to code due to alleged threats to his life.
01:25And they also appealed for the immediate passage of the proposed measure strengthening the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI
01:33and transforming it into the Independent Commission against Infrastructure Corruption or ICAIC.
01:39Amid the public clamor for transparency and accountability in the ongoing investigations of cases of corruption
01:46related to the misuse of funds for flood control and other infrastructure projects,
01:52former Representative Zaldico has to come back to the country at the soonest possible time.
01:58The Filipino people deserve the whole truth, demand a reckoning, and cry out for justice.
02:05Davos City First District Representative Paulo Duterte, for his part,
02:09has also filed a resolution calling for the House to investigate Ko's allegations.
02:14At present, there are also rumors of a possible leadership change in the House, but lawmakers have denied this.
02:20According to House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno,
02:23who was mentioned as the possible replacement for House Speaker Faustino Bojidi III,
02:28there is no true to such claims, and he continues to support Speaker D.
02:32Ako personally, wala pa ako nababalitaan na change of leadership.
02:35Kahapon, nabasa ko lang doon sa isang article na meron daw mga alingas-ngas,
02:41pero in as much as I'm concerned, wala, wala kaming nababalitaan.
02:44Lagi namin sinasabi sa minority kapag change of leadership dito sa House of Representatives,
02:49away majority yan.
02:51Pero sa dulo, itong away majority na ito could have very strong and impactful effect on the nation.
03:00Melalas Moras from the National TV Network for a New and Better Philippines.
