Metro Manila, Philippines – Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla tagged Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez as the one responsible for the recantation of four of the 18 former bodyguards of fugitive ex-Rep. Zaldy Co.
The four self-confessed bagmen, who said in their affidavit that they delivered kickbacks to the former House speaker, also recanted their accusations against Romualdez’s cousin, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who tagged the lawmaker in the infrastructure scheme scam in his fifth State of the Nation Address.
READ: ‘Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya’: Marcos names Romualdez in flood control scandal
“Siyempre, sino pa? Sino pa ba ibang makikinabang diyan?” said Remulla in a press briefing on Friday, August 7.
[Translation: Of course, who else? Who else will benefit from that?]
“The camp of former Speaker Romualdez. His lawyers, his strategists, his advisers, yung mga tumutulong sa kanya, kasama na yan [everyone who helped him, they’re included]. I wish I could give the other names but ‘wag muna [not yet],” he said.
Remulla said the former speaker’s camp was getting desperate, but added that the recantations did not weaken the case against Romualdez.
“It just points out to the fact that there are people working on his behalf to obstruct the ends of justice,” said Remulla.
The Leyte representative is under preliminary investigation for complaints related to plunder, indirect bribery, graft, and money laundering – his alleged involvement in the multi-billion peso flood control scandal.
As for those who recanted statements, Remulla said they would be considered hostile witnesses and may be charged as accessories for attempting to cover up the case.
“Ang recantation is frowned upon by the courts. That’s the way the courts are supposed to treat recantations, especially twice eto nga na nag-issue ng testimonies against Romualdez itong mga ito,” he said.
[Translation: Recantation is frowned upon by the courts. That’s how courts are supposed to treat recantations, especially since these people have already issued testimonies against Romualdez twice.]
Remulla said Co’s self-confessed security aides submitted two affidavits. The first was a joint document by the 18 people through the help of lawyer Levi Baligod, while eight others had individual submissions.
The ombudsman also denied their allegations that someone from his office attempted to coerce them into signing their initial affidavits.
‘Absolutely not true’
In a statement, the Leyte lawmaker rejected Remulla’s accusation.
“The ombudsman’s accusation that I am behind the recantations of the former Marines is absolutely not true. This shows how extremely prejudiced he is against me. The recantations prove what I had been saying all along that the accusations against me are false and trumped up,” Romualdez said.
The former speaker maintained that he will not be intimidated by the ombudsman remarks.
He said he will face the allegations and defend himself with facts.
NewsWatch Plus correspondent Lance Mejico contributed to this report.
