Legal counsel Ade Fajardo, representing former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez, contends that the allegations against his client are baseless, pointing to a recent court ruling involving former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. as proof of a high evidentiary bar.
Romualdez is currently facing a preliminary investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged plunder and money laundering tied to controversial flood control projects.
In a radio interview, Fajardo noted that the Sandiganbayan granted bail to Revilla despite direct testimony from former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who claimed he personally delivered project kickbacks to the former senator. Fajardo stressed that no direct testimony or similar evidence exists against Romualdez.
“Kung si Senator Revilla…meron talagang mismong undersecretary ng DPWH na nagsabi na siya ay nag-deliver ng salapi, ah hindi pa rin sapat para sa Sandiganbayan. Eh eto kay dating Speaker, wala talagang ganung testimonya,” he underscored.
Revilla was released after the Sandiganbayan Third Division approved his ₱1-million bail petition regarding a malversation charge over an alleged ₱92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
Fajardo also questioned the credibility of the 18 former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co—dubbed the “maleta boys”—who alleged they delivered kickbacks to Romualdez and other lawmakers. Describing them as mercenaries, Fajardo highlighted their lack of physical proof, such as CCTV footage or photographs.
“Hindi katanggap-tanggap, pabali-baliktad, nadagdagan, nababawasan, talagang walang ano, mersenaryo yung pakay nitong mga sundalo natin,” he said.
“Kwento lang eh. Kwento lang ito na walang basehan, na walang back-up noh. Walang CCTV, walang picture, lahat wala po eh talagang. Lahat nakasalalay sa kwento at salaysay na napatunayan naman na hindi katanggap-tanggap at di kapani-paniwala ang mga salayasay,” stressed Fajardo.
The Department of Justice is moving forward with perjury charges against the 18 individuals.
Fajardo urged authorities to exercise caution and avoid filing unsupported charges against individuals.
“Nakulangan ang korte sa pagkakataon na ito. Kaya yun nga ang sinasabi natin na sana hindi naman basta-basta ikulong ang tao, sampahan ng kaso kung yun nga walang gaanong ebidensiya na mag-uugnay sa ganitong mga alegasyon,” he said.
“Lalo na sa pagkakataon na ito kay Congressman Romualdez. Wala talagang ebidensiya,” he added.
Romualdez’s camp maintains he had no direct involvement in passing the national budget beyond signing the final approved legislation.