Former House Speaker and current Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez is fully prepared to address any legal actions concerning alleged anomalies in flood control initiatives, his lawyer announced on Sunday, July 19.
Atty. Ade Fajardo stated that Romualdez is completely willing to cooperate as the Office of the Ombudsman hints at the potential filing of plunder charges against him.
”Nakahanda si former Speaker Romualdez na harapin ang proseso,” Fajardo said.
The legal counsel highlighted that the veteran lawmaker is not shunning public scrutiny and remains focused on his duties representing Leyte in the legislature.
“Nandito po siya. Siya po ay abala bilang kinatawan ng Leyte at, siyempre, hindi siya tumatakas. Willing siya to face everything kung meron mang sinasabing ebidensya,” he said.
Fajardo clarified that while the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) leader intends to fully abide by the Ombudsman’s processes, no official preliminary investigation has commenced thus far.
”Inaamin ng ginagalang nating Ombudsman na hanggang ngayon, wala pa ring preliminary investigation. At hindi pa siya nasu-subpoena ng Office of the Ombudsman,” said Fajardo, who previously served as national president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
He argued that Romualdez deserves a fair chance to officially counter the claims before any definitive judgements are made.
”Kami po ay nababahala dito dahil ang dating Speaker ay kailangang bigyan ng pagkakataon na sumagot formally sa mga paratang na ito bago magkaroon ng conclusion,” he said.
The defense attorney reiterated that there is no documentation or proof tying the former Speaker to the alleged flood control discrepancies.
”Talagang walang patunay o ebidensiya sa kanya tungkol sa flood-control anomalies. Wala pa pong preliminary investigation, nasa case build-up status po now,” Fajardo said.
He maintained that Romualdez had no involvement in authorizing the funds or executing the infrastructure projects under review.
”Napakasimple lang actually. Kasi kung wala ka namang participation, talagang maa-anticipate mo na wala namang ebidensya.”
Furthermore, Fajardo cast doubt on the reliability of testimonies provided by 18 security personnel linked to former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, who previously accused Romualdez of handling suitcases of cash and participating in infrastructure fraud.
He noted that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) had already cleared Romualdez of wrongdoing in a prior review.
”Kung ating babalikan, mismong ICI ang naglabas sa kanilang imbestigasyon na wala silang mahanap na liability. Ganyan po ang expressed findings ng ICI nang dalhin ang records sa Office of the Ombudsman,” he said.
Fajardo concluded by emphasizing that Romualdez remains available to answer all inquiries should the Ombudsman formalize the proceedings.
”Hindi po tumatakas sa kanyang pananagutan si dating Speaker na harapin ang lahat ng ito. Boluntaryo siyang bumaba bilang Speaker para bigyang-daan ang imbestigasyon.”