The Office of the Ombudsman is lining up 96 witnesses as it seeks to build its case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the ₱7.4-billion plunder case before the Sandiganbayan involving flood control projects.
During pretrial proceedings, Ombudsman prosecutors said 23 witnesses are set to testify during the bail hearings, while another 73 are expected to take the stand during the trial proper. Their testimonies will support the prosecution’s effort to establish the transactions, decisions and events surrounding the government-funded projects involved in the case.
The witness list represents a significant part of the Ombudsman’s planned evidence against Romualdez, who faces charges over the misuse of public funds in flood control projects. Romualdez, detained at the New QC Jail in Payatas, has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty before the court.
The witnesses are expected to provide testimony and supporting evidence that could help the Sandiganbayan examine how the projects were planned, financed and carried out, as well as the roles of the individuals named in the case.
Romualdez’s camp is also preparing its defense, with his lawyers saying they may present three to four witnesses, including Romualdez himself and bagmen who have recanted their earlier statements, during the bail proceedings. His legal team also said it plans to file a petition for bail on Sept. 28, with hearings set to begin Oct. 12 and run through Nov. 12.
Former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who is also charged in the same case, was represented in court by two lawyers who entered their appearance. The lawyers said they had no personal knowledge of whether Co would personally appear before the court.
As the Sandiganbayan prepares to hear from the 96 witnesses, the Office of the Ombudsman is set to present its evidence against Romualdez and the other accused as the case enters a critical stage of the proceedings.
