Marcos keeps contractor-linked Cadiz in DOJ

MANILA, Philippines – Jose “Jojo” Cadiz Jr., whose young son owns a company with hundred-million-peso flood control projects with government, remains as undersecretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

This means that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not accept his resignation of his province mate and longtime aide.

“Usec. Cadiz returned to work on January 5. Same functions as before. He remains undersecretary for the Immigration and Special Concerns Cluster,” Polo Martinez, spokesperson of the DOJ, said on Friday, January 16.

Malacañang announced Cadiz’s resignation in December following Rappler’s investigation that his son owns the construction company JSJ Builders. JSJ is a young company which has won P251 million worth of projects from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), all for projects located in Ilocos Norte, the home province of Cadiz and Marcos.

JSJ Builders was put up only in 2023, when Cadiz was already a DOJ undersecretary, and the son was only 19 years old. Then just a student, the son managed to put up a capital of P35 million.

The 1987 Constitution prohibits Cabinet members and their deputies — meaning undersecretaries — from having direct and indirect financial interest in government contracts.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said his office has opened an investigation into Cadiz’s conflict of interest, taking off from Rappler’s reporting.

When Malacañang announced Cadiz’s resignation, Press Undersecretary Claire Castro said all Cabinet members, or even allies of the President, who have contractor links should resign as courtesy to Marcos.

“Hindi po ba mas magandang tingnan ‘yun, dahil ibig sabihin hindi nagto-tolerate ang Pangulo ng mga taong maaaring nasasangkot although wala pang judgment?“ Castro said on December 5. (Isn’t that better, because it would mean the President does not tolerate anyone who might have any involvement, even though there’s no judgment yet?)

Marcos has asked Cabinet members to submit courtesy resignations, and he has accepted many — a way of dignified firing as the President reshuffles his Cabinet after the midterm elections in May. Rumors continue to swirl that more heads will roll, especially after several of them — including Cadiz — were implicated in the flood control scandal.

Resigned congressman Zaldy Co claims he delivered kickbacks worth P1 billion to Cadiz on two separate actions, which Co said was supposedly meant for Marcos. Cadiz is Marcos’ longtime aide, dating back from when the President was a senator.

Marcos has denied Co’s allegations. Investigators are not giving Co’s accusations much legal weight as they were not made under oath, instead were made through videos he posted on Facebook. Co is in hiding, and is evading a warrant from the Sandiganbayan over graft and malversation charges related to an allegedly anomalous flood control project in Mag-asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, worth P289 million. – Rappler.com