The legal defense team of former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez has accused the Office of the Ombudsman, led by Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, of pursuing a personal vendetta against the former lawmaker over the alleged flood control corruption controversy.
According to Romualdez’s counsel, Atty. Ade Fajardo, the anti-graft body remains fixated on building a case against his client despite a distinct lack of credible evidence.
Speaking during a radio interview on Wednesday, September 2, Fajardo questioned the Ombudsman’s intense focus on the former House leader.
“Kami ay naguguluhan kung bakit ganito ang trato nila sa dating Speaker. Masyado na yata siyang pinepersonal,” Fajardo stated.
“Hindi namin maintindihan kung bakit ganun na lamang ang attention na binibigay nila, ang panggigipit nila kay Rep. Romualdez. Eh wala na namang credible na ebidensiya,” he added.
Fajardo pointed out that the Ombudsman appears to be single-mindedly targeting Romualdez while letting other top government figures off the hook.
He noted that several high-ranking officials initially implicated by the 18 individuals known as the “Maleta Boys”—who alleged that cash kickbacks for ghost flood control projects were delivered in suitcases—are no longer facing scrutiny.
“Nawala na nga lahat ng mga malalaking opisyal ng pamahalaan nang mag-urungan ang Maleta boys at nagsabi ang karamihan na wala silang alam sa sinasabing deliveries, tinanggal na sa listahan at siguro in-absolved na. Pero iniiwan pa rin ng Ombudsman at mistulang singled out na natitira na lamang ay ang aming kliyente,” Fajardo emphasized.
The defense attorney highlighted that five key members of the group, including star witness Orly Guteza, have executed formal affidavits withdrawing their initial claims against Romualdez.
“Formal affidavit ang ginawa nila, hindi press release,” the legal counsel clarified.
Fajardo further explained that these retractions were supported by 25 of their peers who disputed the original claims, leaving the Ombudsman’s ongoing investigation against the former Speaker without a solid legal foundation.