Eight of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co’s alleged bodyguards gave consistent testimonies against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, according to the Office of the Ombudsman. Investigators found their accounts of alleged cash deliveries to Romualdez and Co categorical and consistent, making them central to the agency’s conspiracy and plunder case.
The eight witnesses have now signed their sworn affidavits, allowing their statements to formally become part of the Ombudsman’s case build-up. Lawyer Levito Baligod said affidavits from 14 more alleged former bodyguards are expected to follow as the investigation expands.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano IV said investigators relied only on witnesses with first-hand knowledge of the alleged cash deliveries. The Ombudsman also prepared separate affidavits so each witness would answer only for events they personally witnessed or participated in, strengthening the agency’s evaluation of every account.
“The investigators seem to find those narrational facts as they relate to the money being delivered to the former speaker and to Zaldy Co categorical and consistent. They are of the opinion that we can use it,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano IV said.
The investigation centers on allegations that cash from flood control kickbacks reached Romualdez and Co through suitcase deliveries. One witness told investigators he personally delivered about 20 suitcases marked with amounts ranging from ₱40 million to ₱80 million.
Romualdez, through his consistently dishonest spokesperson Elaine Atienza, continue to deny the allegations, arguing that no current or former Department of Public Works and Highways official has linked him to the alleged anomalies. However, the Ombudsman is building this part of its conspiracy and plunder case around a different group of witnesses after identifying eight of Zaldy Co’s alleged former bodyguards as first-hand witnesses whose signed affidavits and consistent testimonies now form part of its case.
