A special panel of investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman submitted a supplemental complaint-affidavit to add new respondents to the high-profile case involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Representative Zaldy Co, and several others over allegations of plunder, graft, bribery, and money laundering.
The 104-page filing, docketed as OMB-C-C-APR-26-0044, was officially received by the Ombudsman’s Preliminary Investigation, Administrative Adjudication and Monitoring Office (PAMO) II on July 20.
Investigators stated that the submission relies on fresh documentary and testimonial evidence secured following the launch of the original complaint on April 20.
The case centers on statutory violations involving Republic Act No. 7080 (Plunder Law), Articles 210 and 211 of the Revised Penal Code (Direct and Indirect Bribery), Sections 3(a) and 3(b) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), and Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9160 (Anti-Money Laundering Act).
In the supplemental pleading, investigators reiterated their request to press criminal charges against Romualdez and Co for allegedly amassing roughly ₱56 billion in ill-gotten wealth between 2022 and 2025.
“An Information be filed against Respondents FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ and ELIZALDY ‘ZALDY’ S. CO, in relation to their concerted and coordinated acts, performed in conspiracy with one another, of unlawfully amassing, accumulating, and acquiring ill-gotten wealth amounting to approximately P56,000,000,000.00 from 2022 to 2025, through a series of interrelated transactions involving the diversion and misuse of public funds and the receipt of undue pecuniary benefits in connection with government dealings,” it stated.
The panel also renewed its request to file charges of plunder, direct bribery, indirect bribery, and graft against Romualdez, alongside money laundering charges against both Romualdez and Jose Raulito E. Paras.
Investigators noted that critical facts emerged after the primary complaint was submitted.
“Subsequent to the filing of the Complaint, the Complainants obtained additional documentary and testimonial evidence material to the matters alleged therein.”
According to the panel, the newly acquired materials substantiate earlier reports concerning large cash deliveries to Romualdez.
“The newly discovered evidence supplements and corroborates the allegations in the Complaint concerning the delivery of large sums of cash to Romualdez,” it said.
The investigators asserted that these cash movements were tied directly to kickbacks from public infrastructure and development projects.
“In particular, the said evidence establishes that a substantial portion of the cash delivered originated from the ‘commitments’ collected in connection with government projects and provides further details regarding the manner, frequency, and circumstances surrounding such deliveries, as well as the persons involved therein.”
Furthermore, the submission details how corporate structures were allegedly leveraged to funnel public money.
“The additional evidence likewise reveals, among others, that several corporate entities appear to have been utilized as conduits for the diversion and disposition of substantial amounts of public funds through the abuse of public office and the use of dummies, nominees, and closely held corporations,” it read.
The complaint added that these entities functioned “to acquire, hold, transfer, conceal, and obscure assets beneficially owned or controlled by Romualdez and his associates.”
Because of these findings, investigators are seeking to bring additional individuals and entities into the fold.
“The developments in the investigation and the additional documentary and testimonial evidence obtained subsequent to the filing of the Complaint warrant the inclusion of additional respondents who were not impleaded therein,” it said.
The filing explicitly named Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation and its board members—Luisito O. Chan, Felicito C. Guevarra, Yolanda P. Crudo, Gil A. Panganiban, Jr., and Diosa Mira C. Chan—along with Jocelyn Sereño, Hermogene H. Real, D.S. Tantuico & Associates, and unnamed household staff members.
“As discussed in greater detail below, the evidence demonstrates that SAMCHAN FOREIGN EXCHANGE CORPORATION, through its Board of Directors, LUISITO O. CHAN, FELICITO C. GUEVARRA, YOLANDA P. CRUDO, GIL A. PANGANIBAN, JR., and DIOSA MIRA C. CHAN, together with JOCELYN SEREÑO, JOHN DOES and JANE DOES (i.e., household personnel whose identities are presently unknown), HERMOGENE H. REAL, and D.S. TANTUICO & ASSOCIATES have knowingly participated in, facilitated, or otherwise aided the laundering, concealment, transfer, conversion, and disposition of proceeds derived from the unlawful activities alleged in the Complaint.”
The investigators asked that these newly named parties be formally charged as respondents for violating the Anti-Money Laundering Act.