The legal team representing former House Speaker and current Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez assured the public on Monday night, July 20, that they will comprehensively respond to accusations once official documents are served.
In a statement, Romualdez’s spokesperson, attorney Elaine Atienza, emphasized that the matter is still in its preliminary investigation phase and that no formal criminal charges have been filed against the lawmaker in court.
Atienza noted that the Ombudsman’s announcement simply marks the start of an inquiry and should not be seen as a finding of wrongdoing.
“The Office of the Ombudsman itself made one thing unmistakably clear today: Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has not been convicted of any offense, no criminal case has been filed before the Sandiganbayan, and he has not yet even been given the opportunity to answer the allegations against him,” she said.
“The announcement pertains only to the commencement of a preliminary investigation, where respondents are afforded the opportunity to present their side, and where the constitutional presumption of innocence remains fully in force,” she noted.
Atienza clarified that Romualdez has yet to be served an official copy of the filings.
“Rep. Romualdez has not yet been formally served with a copy of the complaint. Once we receive it, sasagot po kami nang buong-buo,” she said.
The statement follows an earlier announcement by the Office of the Ombudsman declaring its intent to file plunder and money laundering cases against the former Speaker.
In response, Atienza maintained that the legal process must proceed through established forums based on facts.
“We respect all legal processes. That is precisely why we believe this matter should be resolved where our laws require it to be resolved—in the proper legal forum, after both sides have been fully heard,” said the lawyer.
She voiced optimism regarding the outcome of the inquiry once evidence is reviewed.
“We remain confident that once the facts are examined objectively and the evidence is tested under the law, Rep. Romualdez will be able to clear his name,” she said.
Romualdez has previously faced scrutiny regarding flood control project allocations due to his past leadership role over the national budget—claims his legal defense team has consistently dismissed as structurally impossible under national budget rules.
Atienza also firmly denied claims that the lawmaker, who is a cousin of the president, is attempting to dodge accountability.
“We deny in the strongest possible way any insinuation that Rep. Romualdez has attempted to evade the legal process. Uulitin po namin: kailanman ay hindi nagtago si Rep. Romualdez,” Atienza said.
“Hinarap nya ang ICI, at haharapin nya ang Office of the Ombudsman. Siya po ay nasa bansa at mananatili sa bansa until such time that he will be able to clear his name,” the lawyer further said.