MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has placed Tarlac 2nd District Rep. Maria Cristina "Cristy" Angeles and Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. James "Jojo" Ang Jr. under preliminary investigation over an alleged conflict of interest linked to flood-control contractors.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said at a press briefing on Friday, July 17, that Angeles and Ang were being investigated for possible violation of Section 3(h) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
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"For the longest time people took it for granted that they do it because they can. But hindi na dapat pwede 'yan eh," Remulla said. (But that should no longer be allowed.)
Section 3(h) of the law bars public officers from directly or indirectly having a financial or pecuniary interest in a business, contract or transaction in which they intervene or take part in their official capacity, or in which the Constitution or any law prohibits them from having such an interest.
Angeles is married to Victor M. Angeles, who manages Northern Builders, a firm that secured flood-control projects in different parts of the country from 2022 to 2024.
In 2025, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta urged the Department of Public Works and Highways to also look into Northern Builders, even though it was not among the top 15 contractors with the most awarded flood-control contracts cited by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Ang, meanwhile, has been linked to IBC International Builders Corp. and Allencon Development Corp. because his uncle, Alfonso Tan, chairs both companies. The firms secured hundreds of public works projects from 2016 to 2024, according to earlier reports citing records submitted to the Ombudsman.
IBC is one of the largest public works contractors in Western Visayas. A 2025 report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism found that IBC was among the top 10 contractors during the Aquino administration, receiving P11.49 billion in DPWH contracts.
Angeles' response
Responding to the issue, Angeles said the flood-control projects covered by the investigation were implemented before she assumed office.
"Ang mga proyektong flood control na tinutukoy sa reklamo ay isinagawa pa noong panahon ng 18th at 19th Congress, bago pa man ako naging kongresista. Ang mga usaping ito ay sasagutin batay sa mga opisyal na rekord at ebidensya," Angeles said in a statement released after the announcement.
("The flood-control projects referred to in the complaint were implemented during the 18th and 19th Congresses, before I became a member of Congress. These matters will be answered based on official records and evidence.")
The preliminary investigation does not amount to a finding of guilt. It allows the Ombudsman to determine whether there is sufficient basis to file charges.