President Bongbong Marcos will not intervene if the Office of the Ombudsman files charges against his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, over the flood control scandal.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Monday, July 20, that Marcos had no reaction to reports that Romualdez could soon face complaints.
“Wala po, hindi po makikialam ang Pangulo sa anumang pag-iimbestiga,” Castro said.
Malacañang’s position leaves Romualdez without protection from the President. Castro said investigators must follow the evidence regardless of who may be implicated.
The statement came after the Ombudsman announced Friday, July 17, that it was “very close” to filing plunder charges against Romualdez over his alleged role in the controversy.
In an April 20 complaint-affidavit, the Ombudsman’s Special Panel of Investigators made a “preliminary finding of probable cause” against Romualdez for Plunder, Direct Bribery, Violations of Sections 3(a) and 3(b) of Republic Act No. 3019, Indirect Bribery and Money Laundering.
The complaint covers an alleged flood control kickback operation “purportedly masterminded” by Romualdez, with the amount allegedly reaching about ₱56 billion. A Sandiganbayan resolution noted that he exercised extensive authority over the House and served as an ex officio member of the appropriations committee while speaker.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said investigators were preparing another money laundering case and what he called “the grandest case of them all,” involving an alleged “conspiracy to defraud the treasury through the budget.” He said the case would be unprecedented in Philippine history.
Romualdez once held one of the country’s most powerful posts and major influence over legislation and the national budget. He may soon have to answer allegations involving the same spending system that passed through Congress under his leadership.
Romualdez has since lost support from former allies. Marcos has ruled out interference, while Senator Imee R. Marcos signed a minority report finding him potentially complicit or grossly negligent in the flood control scandal. Zaldy Co, once his appropriations chief, has turned accuser. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was demoted and later removed as deputy speaker under his leadership. That rupture has fueled criticism of Romualdez’s pattern of betraying allies when they cease to be politically useful. Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan is also being positioned as a state witness to strengthen the case against him. Ombudsman Boying Remulla is no longer his friend.
Corruption is and has always been the Philippines’ biggest problem. Romualdez is universally recognized as the most corrupt Filipino politician of the 21st century.
