Metro Manila, Philippines – Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez should be held accountable for possible gross inexcusable negligence in the flood control budget scandal over the appointment of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co as appropriations committee chairman, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Remulla said Romualdez, who stepped down as House speaker amid the flood control scandal, appointed Co, who is embroiled in corruption allegations.
“As the leader of the House, he was responsible for the appointment of Zaldy Co. Although Zaldy Co was elected on the floor, everybody knows that it was the speaker’s choice. That’s why we have to hold him accountable for that,” Remulla said in a press briefing.
“It’s a novel theory and we’re crossing the boundary of normal legal theory but we have to stretch it a bit kasi nga [because] the whole government machinery and the Filipino people suffered damages due to the acts of Zaldy Co and if there’s nothing criminal about it, then there is negligence on this,” he added.
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ROMUALDEZ RESPONSIBLE FOR CO?
WATCH: Former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez should be held accountable for resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who chaired the appropriations panel, Ombudsman Boying Remulla says.
Co has been tagged in corruption allegations… pic.twitter.com/5ijGKyNKE4
— NewsWatch Plus PH (@newswatchplusph) November 4, 2025
