Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not interfere in the Office of the Ombudsman investigation on former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as the anti-graft body moves closer to filing a possible plunder case against his cousin, Malacañang said Monday, July 20.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the president would allow the legal process to take its course regardless of who is involved.
“Wala po, hindi po makikialam ang pangulo sa anumang pag-iimbestiga. Sabi nga po natin at ang sabi rin po ng pangulo, kahit sino po ang maapektuhan ito, kung saan po pupunta ang ebidensiya, sundan na lang po natin. So, kung ano po ang mangyayari sa anumang pag-iimbestiga dito, hindi po makikialam ang pangulo at tatanggapin po ito,” she said.
[Translation: The president will not interfere in any investigation. As we have said, and as the president himself has said, regardless of who may be affected, we should follow where the evidence leads. Whatever happens in the investigation, the president will not interfere and will accept the outcome.]
Ombudsman Boying Remulla said last week that his office was “very close” to filing plunder charges against Romualdez over his alleged role in a multibillion-peso flood control kickback scheme.
Remulla said investigators already have evidence and are finalizing the complaint before it proceeds to preliminary investigation, stressing that the case must be airtight before charges are filed.
Asked about criticism from ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio that the administration was selectively pursuing corruption cases while officials linked to allegedly anomalous flood control projects have yet to be charged, Castro said investigations must be anchored on evidence and due process.
“Hindi po ganyan ang hustisyang umiiral dito sa ating bansa – due process. Dito po, ang umiiral ay ebidensya,” he said.
[Translation: That is not how justice works in this country – due process. What governs here is evidence.]
She said criminal complaints cannot be filed solely on accusations.
“So, kung meron namang ebidensya si Congressman Tinio laban doon sa mga inaakusahan niya, kumpleto siya ng ebidensya, ngayon pa lang ay isampa na niya. Mas maganda pong maisampa ninyo na dahil iyan naman din po ang gusto ng pangulo, managot ang dapat na managot. So, lahat ng mga naiinip, kung mayroon na kayong ebidensiyang kongkreto, go ahead and file the cases now,” Castro said.
[Translation: If Congressman Tinio has evidence against those he is accusing, and his evidence is complete, then he should file the cases now. That is also what the President wants—that those who should be held accountable are held accountable. So, to everyone who is impatient, if you already have concrete evidence, go ahead and file the cases now.]
