The Ombudsman said its next plunder cases against Martin Romualdez will zero in on his defrauding of the 2025 national budget during his term as House Speaker—using the testimony of former Public Works Secretary Manny Bonoan as a key witness.
Already arrested on Monday in the ₱7.4‑billion plunder case, Romualdez now faces more complaints as the Ombudsman shifts focus to the ₱6.326‑trillion 2025 budget, branded by lawmakers and former officials as the “most corrupt budget ever passed in the history of Congress.”
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano clarified Bonoan’s testimony was not used in the first case but will be deployed in subsequent ones:
“Hindi naman po namin ginamit yung testimonya ni Secretary Bonoan dahil iyon po ang gagamitin natin sa mga susunod na kaso.”
Clavano explained investigators already had sufficient evidence to support the first plunder charge filed before the Sandiganbayan. Future cases will expand to other plunder and bribery schemes, including how requested Department of Public Works and Highways funds were slashed and replaced with inserted projects. Flood‑control corruption remains a prime target, given its massive margins for plunder.
Clavano also identified former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo as a key witness, providing details on Romualdez and Zaldy Co’s scheme tied to the broader ₱56‑billion flood‑control scandal. Former DPWH District Engineer Henry Alcantara likewise strengthened the case with testimony on how the scheme was carried out.
Beyond witness accounts, investigators submitted contracts, property titles, corporate papers, and financial records tracing the flow of stolen money into assets and business holdings. Clavano said the probe followed the trail “from the start of the scheme until the acquisition of properties, shareholdings, and other assets.”
The ₱7.4‑billion non‑bailable plunder complaint has already advanced, with the Sandiganbayan issuing an arrest warrant against Romualdez and his co‑accused. Authorities served the warrant while Romualdez was confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, citing cardiovascular concerns, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack. His camp has begged the court to let him stay in the hospital until “medically cleared” for transfer.
The arrest is a victory for the Filipino people, long left to endure nature’s wrath while flood‑control projects meant to protect them were nonexistent or substandard—failures that left 9.4 million affected and claimed 39 lives in the latest heavy rains.
It also marks a triumph for Peanut Gallery Media Network’s relentless exposés, now in their 11th straight week—racking up 230 million views across 2,042 posts—cementing the most viral anti‑corruption campaign ever mounted against a single figure in Philippine social media history. Even as Romualdez scrambled to fight back with over 80 lawsuits, the barrage only grew louder.
The plunder charge has been raffled to the Sandiganbayan’s 3rd Division, led by Associate Justice Ronald Moreno—the same division that once granted Bong Revilla bail after a ₱1‑million bond in his flood‑control malversation case. The country will be watching closely. Every Filipino knows Romualdez’s crimes, and the people will erupt in fury if justice is denied.
