Malacañang confirmed Tuesday that the Ombudsman’s planned filing of plunder charges against Senator Chiz Escudero and former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez underwent careful review and is backed by evidence.
The announcement follows the Ombudsman’s statement that it is preparing cases linked to alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that the move is grounded in due process, not media spectacle.
“Ebidensiya ang panghahawakan at due process ang kailangan at nais ng Pangulo na managot ang dapat na managot,” she said, underscoring that accountability must rest on solid evidence.
Castro added that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally led the investigation into the alleged misuse of public funds and is determined to hold those responsible accountable.
She emphasized that the administration does not file cases without basis or resort to planting evidence, but ensures that corruption cases are well-studied to stand in court.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier noted that the case against Escudero and Romualdez is built on testimonies from Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings, pointing to a possible conspiracy in the alleged misuse of flood control funds.