Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang said presidential cousin and former Speaker Martin Romualdez will not receive special treatment as the investigation on his alleged links to the flood control anomaly is now with the Office of the Ombudsman.
Palace press officer Claire Castro made the statement on Thursday, July 30, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced in #SONA2026 that Romualdez would face charges in connection with the multi-billion peso controversy.
“Sabi nga natin kung gusto niya magbigay na anumang special treatment, dapat sinimulan niya na noon. Pero hindi eh,” Castro said.
[Translation: As we’ve said, if he wanted to give any special treatment, he should have done so earlier. But he didn’t.]
Castro said she is unaware of any conversation between Marcos and Romualdez after the president’s announcement,
“Tingin ko kung ganito naman yung isyu sa kanila, hindi rin man lalapit si former Speaker kay Pangulo Marcos Jr.”
[Translation: I believe given this issue, the former speaker would not approach President Marcos Jr.]
Castro said Romualdez knows the president is committed to allowing the investigation to proceed based on evidence.
Romualdez earlier said he respects the president’s decision to include him in the investigation and is prepared to answer the allegations through the proper legal process.
