Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed on Thursday that he and his brother, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, were allegedly offered a total of ₱2 billion in bribes in two separate attempts to silence investigations into anomalous flood control projects.

According to Remulla, the bribery attempts were made through intermediaries and involved two different congressmen — a congressman-contractor and a private contractor — both allegedly seeking to halt or influence the ongoing probe into the flood control scandal.

Remulla said the first offer, amounting to ₱1 billion, came from a congressman-contractor based in Luzon around two weeks ago during a private meeting facilitated by a mutual acquaintance. The second attempt, also worth ₱1 billion, was allegedly made just three days ago by a contractor reportedly based in the Visayas.

“Isa pong contractor based in the Visayas ay nagparating sa aming mutual na kaibigan na kung pwede tulungan at may again ₱1 billion na naman ang ino-offer sa aming magkapatid,” Remulla said during a press briefing in Quezon City.

He clarified that neither he nor his brother personally met the individuals behind the offers, adding that the proposals were merely relayed through "mutual friends" who were allegedly approached by the contractors.

Remulla said both offers were immediately rejected, stressing that no money was ever shown or exchanged.

“Tatanong nyo kung bakit hindi namin na-arestohin ang nagsusuhol. Ito po ay deniable eh. Kasi ito ay hindi recorded, ito ay binanggit lang, walang ipinakitang pera. Parang kwento lang ginagawa sa akin,” he said.

The Interior secretary added that he promptly reported both incidents to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to ensure transparency.

“Syempre una, tinanggihan ko at nireport ko kaagad sa Pangulo,” he said.

Despite calls to identify the individuals behind the alleged bribes, Remulla declined to name them, citing the absence of direct contact and concrete evidence.

He emphasized that neither he nor his brother could be bought. “Safe to say, refused po both times. Hindi po namin, hindi kami pumapayag, hindi rin kami magpapabili,” Remulla said.

Remulla further stated that the individuals involved appeared to believe that bribing the brothers would be the “key” to stopping the investigation.

“Ang tingin kasi nila, nabibili nila yung kaso nila sa aming magkakapatid. Sa flood control. Sa flood control. So ang tingin nila, ang susi ay nasa amin dalawa. Ang susi ay nasa mga abogado nila na depensahan sila sa husgado. Kung kami lang ang susuhulan, wala hong mapupuntahan yan,” he said.

The secretary reiterated the government’s resolve to pursue accountability, not only in the flood control controversy but also in other high-profile cases.

“Sa lahat ng mga tao sa Pilipinas, tandaan nyo, ang perang ngayon ay hindi na sapat para bilihin ng inyong kalayaan. Ang seryoso po ang Department of Justice, seryoso po ang DILG. Kukunin po namin ng lahat, gagawin po namin ng lahat para makamit ng hustisya para sa 100 missing sabungueros at lahat ng nabiktima sa flood control,” he said.