Lawyers representing former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez have rejected claims that the lawmaker is trying to flee the country amid prospective plunder charges, calling the allegations completely unfounded.
Legal counsel Ade Fajardo highlighted that Romualdez has not left the Philippines since inquiries into disputed flood control infrastructure projects began.
He noted that the former House leader even gave personal testimony before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), a special panel established by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to look into the matter.
Although the Office of the Ombudsman previously announced that money laundering and plunder cases against Romualdez—who is President Marcos’s cousin—would be submitted shortly, Fajardo stressed that this update merely indicates the start of a preliminary inquiry rather than evidence of guilt.
He reaffirmed that Romualdez remains ready to address any official complaints.
Challenging the origin of the flight claims, Fajardo stated:
“Wala kaming idea kung saan nakuha o napulot ni Assistant Ombudsman Clavano ang mga ganyang detalye. Muling naming lilinawin na hindi umalis at umaalis ng bansa si dating Speaker Romualdez. Lagi siyang handa na humarap sa lahat ng mga investigasyon,” he said.
He added:
“Nagtataka talaga kami kung saan nakuha at nanggaling ang impormasyon na iyan kasi hindi naman nagtangka na umalis ng Pilipinas si Congressman Romualdez, nandito siya at handa po humarap sa investigation,” he said.
Fajardo voiced concern that public comments from the Ombudsman’s office risk biasing public perception by falsely suggesting that Romualdez is attempting to run from accountability.
“Yan po kami nagtataka at siyempre nababahala dahil wala namang basehan. At parang ang epekto lang nito ay siyempre nagkakaroon tuloy ng perception ang ating mga kababayan na mukhang guilty si Congressman Romualdez dahil sa pagtatangkang pagtakas,” he said.
Consequently, the defense team is weighing legal actions regarding Assistant Ombudsman Clavano’s statements.
“So kami ay nag-aaral ng ating options under the law what to do with this information. Kahapon lang ‘yan sinambulat sa atin at feeling natin hindi naman kailangang ipagsasabi ang mga bagay na wala namang basehan at wala namang dahilan para tumakas ang former Speaker,” he said.
Earlier in the week, fellow defense counsel Atty. Elaine Atienza similarly dismissed claims that the Leyte representative was sidestepping legal processes, reiterating that he plans to stay in the country and respond to charges when formally served.
“We deny in the strongest possible way any insinuation that Rep. Romualdez has attempted to evade the legal process. Uulitin po namin: kailanman ay hindi nagtago si Rep. Romualdez,” she said.