OVER FABRICATED GHOST PROJECT ALLEGATIONS

THE Office of the Ombudsman has issued a clearance for former Pangasinan Rep. Christopher De Venecia, who was unduly linked to alleged anomalous flood control projects.

The clearance, issued last December 3, states that De Venecia has no pending criminal and administrative cases with the Ombudsman as of 02 December 2025.

In fact, there were two clearances (numbered 058706-16 and 0587707-0) issued on 03 December 2025, both signed by Graft Investigator II Sally R. Gimpayan, by authority of the Ombudsman, both of which state: “This certifies that our records show that as of December 2, 2025, Christopher Perez De Venecia …has no pending criminal and administrative cases with the Office of the Ombudsman”.

Earlier, complaints were filed before the Ombudsman against De Venecia by tricycle association leader Jaime Aquino over alleged P286 million worth of flood control projects in Barangays Sto. Tomas and Casibong, San Jacinto, Pangasinan.

Aquino also accused Sual Mayor Liseldo Calugay, his wife Garly, and De Venecia of plunder, malversation of public funds, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and dishonesty.

De Venecia denied the allegations, which were based on hearsay. Mayor Calugay also rejected the accusation in a public statement posted on Facebook, insinuating this was part of an extortion attempt on him and his wife

The former congressman asserted that “while the call for transparency and accountability should remain the priority of every Filipino, we must also remain vigilant against unscrupulous individuals who attempt to take advantage of the outrage, and file nuisance cases hoping for a payday.”

According to a report, the National Press Club expelled Aquino from its membership roster, without any possibility of reinstatement, in February 2022, for allegedly manufacturing evidence that led to the incarceration of a councilor from Quezon.

De Venecia reserved the right to seek legal action against Aquino and his still-unidentified co-conspirators for tarnishing his reputation and good name as a result of the fabricated complaints filed before the Ombudsman. (Leonardo Micua)