Tarlac Rep. Noel Rivera faces 9 graft raps over flood control projects

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed nine counts of graft before the Sandiganbayan against Tarlac Rep. Noel Rivera over alleged conflict of interest and in connection with flood control projects, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday. One count each has been raffled to the First, Second, and Fourth divisions of the anti-graft court, and two cases each to the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh divisions. "Yes, we filed. Conflict of interest and flood control," Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a press conference, when asked about the filing of charges against Rivera. "He’s a contractor,” he added, referring to a member of the House of Representatives or congressman while remaining in control of a construction firm with government contracts. GMA News Online is still trying to get Rivera's comment in connection with the cases filed against him. Section 3.h of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act prohibits public officials from directly or indirectly having financial or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction in connection with which he intervenes or takes part in his official capacity, or in which he is prohibited by the Constitution or by any law from having any interest. The cases against Rivera comprise the seventh batch of flood control cases filed by the Ombudsman since Remulla assumed his post as Ombudsman in October 2025. –NB, GMA News