The Office of the Ombudsman announced on Friday, July 31, that a preliminary investigation against “Cong-tractor” Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola for over 20 counts of malversation is now underway.

“‘Yung unang kaso, cong-tractor ‘yon, ‘yung mga ginawa niya na self-dealing sa loob ng Kongreso, tsaka ‘yung trabaho na hindi dapat ginagawa ng isang congressman ay ginawa niya… Alam niyo na ‘yan, conflict of interest,” Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said during a press briefing.

According to reports, Gardiola has three government contract awardees under his name: Newington Builders, Inc. (formerly Gardiola Construction), Lourel Development Corp., and S-Ang General Construction & Trading, Inc.

The lawmaker received a total of ₱38.2 billion in funding for infrastructure projects, as recorded in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Transparency Portal.