Former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez has called on the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct a fair investigation, questioning the agency’s reliance on witnesses whose credibility has already been challenged by government authorities.
Romualdez raised concerns over the Ombudsman using individuals whom the agency and the Department of Justice (DOJ) had previously discredited and who currently face cyberlibel and perjury charges.
“Pantay na hustisya lamang ang hinihingi ko.”
“But the Ombudsman is using witnesses he himself and now the DOJ have already publicly discredited — and who are now facing cyberlibel and perjury charges.”
The controversy stems from claims made by self-identified former bodyguards of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, who alleged that they delivered cash-filled luggage to Romualdez.
“Ito ba ang patas na imbestigasyon? Mga testigong ibinasura na, kinasuhan pa ng cyberlibel at perjury — gagamitin pa rin para lang ituro ako at ako lamang.”
“Hindi ako uurong sa laban na ito. Hindi ako matitinag. Gawin natin ang tama.”
The DOJ recently confirmed that criminal complaints for perjury and cyberlibel were filed across four Metro Manila Regional Trial Courts against 18 former bodyguards and their legal counsel, Atty. Levito Baligod.
In their statements, the former bodyguards claimed that suitcases containing cash were brought to several individuals, including House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, who has denied the allegations.
They further alleged that cash-filled luggage was delivered to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s residences in Forbes Park and Ilocos Norte, as well as to other figures.