Four of the eight former Marines who testified against Martin Romualdez in the flood-control corruption probe are now expected to recant, according to two sources close to the Office of the Ombudsman.
The sources tell PGMN that Belnard Tube and Benny Bulontate, along with two others, are among those preparing to backtrack. Both sources tell PGMN that all four intend to lie and say they were pressured by the Ombudsman’s investigators to testify against Romualdez—a move that, if true, could weaken one part of the case alleging Romualdez’s central role in diverting billions in flood-control funds. (Both sources tell PGMN that the investigators are “kind young women,” and any accusation of pressure from them is “ridiculous.”)
A few nights before his own jailing on separate charges, former congressman Mike Defensor—a close ally of all 18 Marines—told PGMN that Romualdez’s camp had already offered ₱5 million per Marine to withdraw their statements against Romualdez. Defensor said those offers were declined at the time.
Tube and Bulontate were part of the 18 who, through lawyer Levito Baligod, formally accused ex-Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co of using them as couriers for billions in flood-control kickbacks. Both signed the group’s original 31-page affidavit and later expanded their allegations in Senate hearings.
The Ombudsman has heard the call of a very angry nation and relied in part on eight of these Marines’ statements in pursuing the long-awaited plunder charges against Romualdez, noting their accounts of delivering suitcases of cash—particularly those bound for Romualdez’s homes—were “categorical and consistent.”
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the group’s joint affidavit initially raised doubts, since 18 witnesses giving identical accounts seemed improbable. But he said their later separate affidavits remained consistent and were backed by investigators’ assessment of their demeanor.
Now, with some witnesses preparing to cave, the timing of the move reeks of suspicious desperation—particularly after President Bongbong Marcos, Romualdez’s cousin, announced in his fifth State of the Nation Address that the Ombudsman was close to finally filing cases against Romualdez.
It is not the first time a key witness in the flood control investigation has become the focus of controversy. In February, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson said flood control whistleblower Orly Guteza—described as the first witness to publicly link Romualdez to the flood control scheme—had mysteriously disappeared and was said to be under Romualdez’s grip.
Romualdez was also confirmed by Co to be behind the insertion of around ₱100 billion into the flood‑control racket. According to Co, Romualdez’s message to him was essentially to “stay out of the country” and stay silent. Later, Co said he was used as a fall guy instead.
The Office of the Ombudsman has referenced Romualdez as the “master plunderer.” The Sandiganbayan has said on the record that Romualdez is the “purported mastermind” of billions in stolen wealth. The Assistant Ombudsman has called Romualdez the “central figure” in the flood-control corruption scandal. Corruption has always been the Philippines’ greatest plague.
Romualdez is universally recognized as the most corrupt Filipino politician of the 21st century.
How will the people of the Philippines take this latest development in a case everyone just wants to see resolved correctly? Will Filipinos finally sink into despair, realizing justice is impossible—or will they erupt in fury at the worst of all the betrayals by this administration?
