MANILA, Philippines — The legal team representing former House Speaker and current Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez remains unfazed by the prospect of former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan turning state witness in the expanding probe into alleged flood-control fund irregularities.
Atty. Jose “Judd” Roy III, chief legal counsel for Romualdez, emphasized that Bonoan’s prior statements contain no accusations linking the former lawmaker to any wrongdoing.
“Martin told me exactly what that’s about, but I can’t disclose it here. We’re not worried about that,” Roy stated during a television appearance.
Roy acknowledged, however, that the defense strategy would adapt if the former cabinet official alters his account in future legal filings.
“What we’re worried about is if Bonoan suddenly comes up with a new affidavit saying this and that about Martin because he never, he has never said anything about Martin,” Roy remarked.
“Nobody in the DPWH has ever implicated Martin,” he added.
Addressing the structural nature of the allegations, Roy reiterated that any irregularities within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) must be evaluated on an individual project level. He stressed that Romualdez’s responsibilities as Speaker were strictly limited to legislative budget approvals rather than project execution.
The development follows the Sandiganbayan’s decision to grant a prosecution request removing Bonoan as a co-defendant in plunder and graft cases, opening the door for him to serve as a key witness for the government.
Romualdez, who faces plunder charges connected to alleged kickbacks from multibillion-peso infrastructure funds, has formally entered a plea of not guilty.
His legal team maintains that without fresh, specific allegations from Bonoan, the defense sees no cause for concern regarding his status as a prosecution witness.