Metro Manila, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman will file two separate complaints for preliminary investigation against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez for plunder and violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act over his alleged involvement in the massive flood control scandal.
The ombudsman on Monday, July 20, said its investigation identified Romualdez as the “central figure in a scheme built on the diversion of public funds meant for flood control projects.”
Fugitive Zaldy Co was also named co-respondent in the complaint.
The ombudsman said the testimony of eight of Co’s security personnel – members of the so-called “18 witnesses” who allegedly witnessed and delivered the funds that Co delivered to Romualdez – were at the core of the case.
The ombudsman added that the bodyguards’ testimony was backed by an independent evidentiary trail linked to personalities supposedly tied to Romualdez.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the money trail showed funds were exchanged, co-mingled, and laundered through an elaborate scheme involving luxury homes, condominiums, investments, and payouts to change narratives and manipulate evidence.
He added that despite a precautionary hold departure order by the Sandiganbayan, Romualdez has allegedly continued trying to leave the country.
“At this point, we will ask the respondents, including former Speaker of the House, Martin Romualdez, to answer the allegations contained in the complaint and put forth his defense,” Clavano said in a statement.
“Once we receive his defense and that of his co-respondents, the case will be submitted for resolution, and the decision will lie with the panel of prosecutors whether or not the case should be filed in the Sandiganbayan,” he said.
The announcement came just one week before the State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Romualdez’s cousin.
‘No plans to evade legal process’
In a statement, Romualdez’s camp said the former speaker has no intention to evade the legal process.
“Uulitin po namin: kailanman ay hindi nagtago si Rep. Romualdez,” Elaine Atienza, spokesperson for the Leyte solon said in a statement.
[Translation: We repeat. Rep. Romualdez did not ever hide.]
She said Romualdez will respond to the complaint once it reaches him.
Atienza then expressed confidence that the lawmaker will be able to clear his name once the facts of the complaint are examined.
“Ang batas ay hindi sumusunod sa ingay ng akusasyon. Sumusunod ito sa bigat ng ebidensya,” she said.
[Translation: The law does not follow the noise for accusations. It follows the weight of evidence.]
