The Department of Justice (DOJ) has denied circulating rumors that former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez is being considered as a state witness in any ongoing investigation.
In a statement released on Friday, October 17, the DOJ clarified that such claims have no factual or legal basis, describing them as misinformation.
“We clarify that to be considered as a state witness, an application must be filed with the DOJ, through the Witness Protection, Security and Benefits Program (WPSB),” the Department stated.
The DOJ further explained that each application undergoes strict evaluation to determine whether the applicant meets the qualifications required under the law.
“This application, like all others, will have to be evaluated first to ascertain whether or not the applicant qualifies as state witness,” the statement continued.
As of this time, the DOJ confirmed that Romualdez has not filed any application to be placed under the WPSB.
“The DOJ assures the public that all investigations will be done swiftly and fairly. No one will be spared if the evidence so warrants. The Department will go where the evidence leads us,” it added.
The agency also warned the public to be vigilant against misleading information and political propaganda, stressing that it remains firm in upholding the rule of law above all else.
Earlier, Malacañang remarked that the DOJ has the discretion to decide whether Romualdez may be considered under the witness protection program.
According to the Palace, “Ito naman po ay irerekomenda sa Korte. So, lahat po ‘yan ay depende sa lahat ng mangyayari. So, hindi pa po natin masasabi kung siya ay puwedeng maging state witness o hindi.”