Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on Wednesday afternoon said that his office formally sent a letter to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) requesting the Foreign Travel Restrictions Order (FTRO) to prevent 77 individuals under investigation for alleged anomalies in flood control projects from leaving the country.

"This afternoon I just signed a letter to the Bureau of Immigration, a request for assistance to hold in the country a list of right now 77 people under fact finding," Remulla said in a press conference.

RH Val Gonzales reported, according to the Ombudsman, that the 77 individuals include at least one senator, congressmen, contractors, and private individuals.

Remulla’s announcement coincides with the filing of recommendations by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the anti-graft body, seeking to file multiple cases against eight “cong-tractors” — congressmen who own construction firms that reportedly secured billions in DPWH contracts.

"We joined [the] government, we surrendered our power already, the right to travel. Because every time we travel, even for personal or official capacity, we have to get the travel authority. It's understood," he emphasized.

Remulla said that FTRO is different from the Prevention of Departure or Hold Departure Order (HDO) that they have also requested against individuals already facing charges before the Sandiganbayan.

"Basta under investigations ka, you're part of the government, you should not be travelling and leaving this jurisdiction," Remulla said.

Remulla reiterated that the request falls within the powers of the anti-graft office and aims to ensure accountability and prevent those involved in anomalies from evading justice by leaving the country.