AS EXPECTED, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. again used the flood control controversy as leverage in delivering his fifth State of the Nation Address in Batasan.
In his opening remarks, Marcos confirmed that the government is filing non-bailable charges of plunder, graft and malversation against his own cousin — former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
According to Marcos, filing of cases against Romualdez hurt him but claimed that it was something that had to be done.
Interestingly, Romualdez didn’t show up at the very same plenary hall where the President in 2025 spoke against the corruption of flood control projects and told officials and lawmakers involved to have some shame.
“Dumating na tayo sa puntong ayon sa Ombudsman ay malapit na ang paghahain ng patong-patong na kaso laban sa dating Speaker. Masakit sa akin ito pero kailangan natin itong gawin,” Marcos said.
“Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya,” he added.
PLUNDER FOR MARTIN
A special panel of investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday filed a supplemental complaint affidavit against Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co, and others for the conduct of a preliminary investigation.
The investigators said Romualdez and Co conspired to amass ill-gotten wealth amounting to P56 billion from 2022 to 2025 through “transactions involving the diversion and misuse of public funds and the receipt of undue pecuniary benefits in connection with government dealings.”
The complaint alleged plunder, graft, and direct bribery.
ROMUALDEZ RESPONDS
In a statement following the Ombudsman’s announcement, Romualdez’s spokesperson, lawyer Elaine Atienza, reiterated that the lawmaker will face the allegations against him.
“Naniniwala kami na kung magkakaroon ng patas na laban at patas na paghuhusga batay sa ebidensya, mapapatunayan ni Rep. Romualdez ang kanyang panig,” Atienza said.
“Hinihiling lamang namin sa publiko na hayaang manaig ang proseso at ebidensya ang magpasya,” she added.
Previously, a precautionary hold-departure order was issued against the former House Speaker — on the request of the Office of the Ombudsman.
