Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named his cousin, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, as one of the lawmakers facing charges for his alleged involvement in the multibillion-peso flood control scandal.
“Meron nang naunang nakasuhan at nakulong, mga kontratista, matataas na opisyal, pati na mga mambabatas. Dumating na tayo sa punto na yon sa ombudsman ay malapit na ang paghain ng patong-patong na kaso laban sa dating speaker,” Marcos said in his address before the nation on Monday, July 27, referring to his cousin.
[Translation: There have been initial cases and some were arrested, contractors, high government officials, and even lawmakers. We’ve come to the point where the ombudsman is close to filing a series of cases against the former speaker.]
The president named Romualdez in his speech, a year after he pledged arrests for the suspects in the massive infrastructure fund scam in his previous address where he made his “mahiya naman kayo” [be ashamed] remark.
READ: Marcos enters fifth year with flood control accountability pledge still pending
“Masakit man sa akin ito, ngunit kailangan natin gawin ang tama. Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya, hindi ako pangulo ng aking kaibigan. Ako ay Pangulo ng Pilipinas at ang tungkulin ko ay sa inyo, ang aking mga kapwang Pilipino,” he continued.
[Translation: Although it pains me, we must do what is right. I’m not the president of my family, I’m not the president of my friend. I am the President of the Philippines and my duty is to you, my fellow Filipinos.]
Romualdez stepped down as speaker on Sept. 17, 2025, He said this would allow for a transparent investigation into his alleged involvement and to protect the credibility of the House of Representatives.
A prosecutor panel investigating the flood control scandal has urged the ombudsman to file charges of plunder, bribery, graft, and money laundering charges against Romualdez, expelled lawmaker Zaldy Co, and other alleged co-conspirators.
The Office of the Ombudsman will file complaints for preliminary investigation into Romualdez and other lawmakers over their alleged involvement in the multi-billion peso scheme.
Meanwhile, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has said that the charges against Romualdez are close to being filed.
In April, the Sandiganbayan slapped the ex-speaker with a travel ban and reinforced the order by denying an appeal.
The ombudsman said it received information that Romualdez had made attempts to leave the country despite the ban. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) corroborated this.
Elaine Atienza, Romualdez’s counsel and spokesperson, said that the embattled lawmaker will face any complaint against him. She also denied that Romualdez tried to leave the country.
The Romualdez camp has sought an apology from the BI for its statement.
