Philippines – A Quezon City court has thrown out a P1-billion civil case linking three prominent lawmakers to questionable flood control projects, ruling that it never had the power to hear the case in the first place. The reason? The people who filed it never paid the required filing fees.
According to a news report, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court dismissed the complaint against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, and QC 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas. The decision, penned by Judge Madonna Echiverri, was dated April 15, 2026, but only became public on June 29.
Why the Court Walked Away
The court said it could not move forward because the plaintiffs ignored repeated reminders to settle their dues. Here is what tipped the scale:
- The filing fees were pegged at P20 million, computed against the P1-billion in damages being sought.
- The plaintiffs were notified to pay as early as February 20, 2026.
- Despite the notice, the fees went unpaid, leaving the court without jurisdiction.
In plain terms, the judge ruled that without those fees, the court had no legal footing to act, so the case was dismissed.
Who Filed the Case
The complaint, which accused the respondents of “Abuse of rights and Unjust enrichment,” was lodged in December 2025 by former Quezon City councilor Antonio Enrile Inton Jr. He brought it forward on behalf of the group United People’s Against Corruption (UPAC).
The lawsuit also named unnamed officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways and several private contractors. Citing research from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, the group claimed flood control funds for Vargas’ district hit roughly P2.86 billion between 2023 and 2025, yet residents in flood-prone areas like Novaliches saw little relief.
What Happens Next
The fight is far from over. Inton said he has taken the matter to the Court of Appeals through a petition for certiorari, arguing the case was never judged on its actual merits. He added that the appellate court has already ordered the respondents to file their answer.
For his part, Vargas welcomed the dismissal, calling the accusations fabricated and accusing the complainants of using the courts for a smear campaign.
For Filipinos overseas watching the flood control controversy closely, this ruling shows the legal battle is just shifting venues, not ending.