The government has begun holding those implicated in the flood control controversy accountable, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said Wednesday.

Dizon made the statement a day after the Office of the Ombudsman filed the first batch of cases before the Sandiganbayan against former Ako Bicol party-list representative Elizaldy Co and several former DPWH officials over alleged anomalous flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro.

He said the Marcos administration is confident that the cases filed against the accused are “solid.”

“This is what the President has been saying. We are all impatient, we are all angry — the people. But we need to follow due process to ensure that those who should be held accountable are truly held accountable,” Dizon said.

He noted that the cases related to the flood control scam are progressing faster than other graft investigations. “It was filed in the Sandiganbayan less than two months ago, and we think that the arrest warrants will be issued in the next few days,” he added.

Dizon also confirmed that additional cases will be filed soon against former DPWH officials and contractors involved in alleged ghost and substandard flood control projects in Bulacan.

The actions follow President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to recover public funds, prosecute those involved, and ensure that offenders are jailed as soon as possible.

On Tuesday, the Ombudsman charged Co, several officials of DPWH Mimaropa, and members of the Sunwest Corporation board in connection with the construction of a PHP289-million road dike along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River, which investigators found to be substandard.

The respondents face charges for alleged violation of Article 217 in relation to Article 171(4) of the Revised Penal Code — malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents — and violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.