Metro Manila, Philippines – Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez was responsible for the recantation of four out of 18 of fugitive ex-Rep. Zaldy Co’s former bodyguards, who said in their affidavit that they delivered cash kickbacks to the former House speaker.
The four self-confessed bagmen also recanted their accusations against Romualdez’s cousin, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who tagged the lawmaker in the infrastructure scheme during his fifth State of the Nation Address.
READ: ‘Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya’: Marcos names Romualdez in flood control scandal
“Syempre, sino pa? Sino pa ba ibang makikinabang diyan?” said Remulla in a press briefing on Friday, August 7.
“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 said that the recantations did not weaken or strengthen 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 his alleged involvement in the multi-billion peso flood control scandal.
As for the witnesses who recanted, Remulla said they would be considered hostile witnesses and may be charged as accessories for attempting to cover up the case.
He also denied their allegations that someone from the ombudsman attempted to coerce them into signing their initial affidavits.
Romualdez’s camp has denied the allegations and said the lawmaker would face whatever charges may be filed.
