Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said Thursday that the Office of the Ombudsman remains determined to pursue formal charges against former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez over alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
Remulla did not provide a definite date for the filing of the complaints, explaining that investigators are still completing and reinforcing the evidence in allegations involving plunder, graft, and bribery.
Asked about the status of the proceedings against Romualdez, Remulla told reporters:
“Basta ano lang kayo, relax lang kayo, nandiyan na ’yan,”
Romualdez has previously called on the Ombudsman to consider the recantations made by several people who had earlier accused him of involvement in the alleged irregularities.
Remulla downplayed the retractions, describing them as an attempt to draw attention away from the larger investigation.
“Wala yung recantation. Yung recantation, smokescreen lang nila ’yon para mawala yung init sa kanila. That’s only a small part of the case,” Remulla said.
The Ombudsman said the withdrawal of allegations by former staff members and individuals allegedly linked to former lawmaker Zaldy Co would not derail the investigation. Among them was former Marine Orly Guteza, who had previously claimed that he delivered cash to Romualdez before later retracting his accusations.
Remulla said investigators have other witnesses and pieces of evidence that may help establish the case against the former Speaker.
He explained that the additional time being spent on the investigation is intended to ensure the complaints are thoroughly prepared and strong enough to withstand possible legal challenges.
“Marami lang kailangang talagang tapusin at kumpunahin para maganda ang pagkakagawa ng kaso. Hindi kasi pwedeng magpa-file diyan ng mahihinang kaso. Sobrang daming pera niyan… Sobrang daming abogado,” Remulla said.
He also pointed to the financial resources that could potentially be used by those facing the allegations to mount their defense.
“Sobrang daming pera niyan. ’Yun ang kalaban natin diyan, pera ng taumbayan pa ’yan,” he added.
When asked if the charges could be filed before the end of the year, Remulla again refused to commit to a particular timetable.
“Basta marami ’yan nandiyan na ’yan. Ayokong magbigay ng specific [date]. Makikita niyo na lang, nandiyan na ’yan,” he said.
Asked outright whether Romualdez would eventually be charged, Remulla gave a direct response:
“Oo! Bakit hindi?”
Meanwhile, Remulla said former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who had previously been removed from the list of respondents in the flood control investigation, would be called to testify for the government.
“He will be [a] witness, for the people, para sa taumbayan,” Remulla said.
Romualdez has continued to challenge the credibility of the allegations, citing affidavits from Guteza and 25 other individuals that he said raise questions about claims made by key witnesses.
He has also highlighted statements in the affidavits alleging that some witnesses were offered money in exchange for signing prepared statements.