The investigation into Jojo Cadiz’s contractor conflict of interest

MANILA, Philippines – After resigned congressman Zaldy Co published several videos, among them accusing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of earning kickbacks from corrupt infrastructure projects, investigators were quick to downplay them because they were not made under oath. Co is also evading an arrest warrant, and the President has dared him to come home, while denying the allegations.

Among the names Co mentioned is a “Usec Jojo Cadiz,” a Marcos-appointed undersecretary at the Department of Justice. Cadiz is a low profile undersecretary, but he was floated as a sure pick for either ombudsman or justice secretary. He has been with Marcos since the latter was a senator.

Rappler looked into Cadiz some more and found a conflict of interest. There is a construction company named after him, his wife, and his son. It is a contractor of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with at least P250 million worth of projects, all in Ilocos Norte. The company is registered under the name of his son, who was just 19 years old during the company’s incorporation in 2023.

Cadiz’s resignation was announced the day after we published the story.

Watch Lian Buan’s report, which prompted an official investigation of the Office of the Ombudsman. – Rappler.com