Ombudsman probes Cagayan’s Jojo Lara for potential plunder over construction ties

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman launched a preliminary investigation into Cagayan 3rd District Representative Jojo Lara for possible plunder.

The probe comes a year after Rappler first reported about Lara’s ties to JLL Pulsar, which has bagged P3.7 billion in contracts from the DPWH since 2020, coinciding with Lara’s congressional career.

“There was supposed to be a divestment, which we think did not really happen,” Ombudsman Boying Remulla told the media on Friday, October 16.

Remulla said the preliminary investigation covers Lara’s connection with JLL Pulsar and JDL5 Construction Corporation, another company believed to be owned by the congressman.

“The money paid to these construction companies still went to his private bank account, with the amount of P1.9 billion,” he added.

Rappler’s original investigation showed that out of the P3.7 billion in public works contracts of JLL Pulsar, P2.1 billion in projects were in Lara’s home province. Around P1.37 billion in contracts were secured since 2023, coinciding with the time he became vice chairperson of the House appropriations committee, which reviews the executive’s proposed national budget annually.

Lara’s office previously denied any wrongdoing, telling Rappler that the congressman removed his shares from JLL Pulsar before he entered public office in 2019. Lara is now in his third and final House term.

“His position as vice chairman of appropriations has nothing to do with this,” Lara’s chief of staff Vic Casauay said in October 2025. “Their contracts have dropped dramatically (since he became a congressman).”

Based on the General Information Sheet submitted by JLL Pulsar to the SEC, Lara’s children own 96.28% of the company as of March 2025.

Joseph Jeremy Lara and Joseph Joshua Lara own 26.2% each; Joseph Kyle Lara owns 23.8%; and Joseph Lara II owns 20.08%. The congressman’s daughter-in-law, Jessa Lara, has a 3.72% stake. – Rappler.com