Ombudsman Boying Remulla has slammed shut the defense spun by Martin Romualdez’s camp, rejecting claims that witness recantations weakened the case, as he declared their use in the non‑bailable plunder case filed today against the disgraced former House Speaker.
Explaining the plunder charge, Remulla said that original sworn testimonies retain evidentiary value even after witnesses recant. He had earlier accused Romualdez’s camp of orchestrating the recantations.
During today’s press conference, Remulla confronted the issue head‑on, linking money to the reversals.
“Alam naman natin kung ano ang nangyayari pag recantation. Alam ng buong mundo, alam ng Korte, pera ang umiiral pagdating sa recantation,” Remulla said. “Kaya hindi ako takot sa recantation. Wala kaming kinakatakutan sa recantation.”
That stance now carries the weight of action. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano personally filed a ₱7.4‑billion plunder case before the Sandiganbayan against Romualdez and three others over the flood‑control kickback scheme.
The recantations involved witnesses who had previously detailed massive cash deliveries. Former Rep. Zaldy Co aide Orly Guteza testified that suitcases containing about ₱48 million each were transported to properties linked to Co and Romualdez. In one instance, 46 suitcases arrived, with 35 later brought to Romualdez’s McKinley residence. Guteza later withdrew his accusations.
Four other former security personnel also recanted sworn statements tying Romualdez and Co to cash deliveries. But George Villalon Jr., one of the bodyguards who refused to fold, revealed that members of the group had been offered ₱20–25 million each to reverse their accounts.
The Ombudsman’s position is clear: a later recantation does not automatically wipe an earlier sworn account. Both versions can be weighed against corroborating evidence, circumstances, and the broader case.
Remulla stressed that the case against Romualdez was solid.
“Ayaw namin mag‑file ng kaso na hilaw,” Remulla said.
“Gusto namin nandiyan ang lahat ng nakahandang ebidensya at buong‑buo ang legal theory.”
The case filing 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 came as Peanut Gallery Media Network‘s relentless barrage of corruption exposés against Romualdez reached its 11th straight week—racking up 230 million views across 2,042 posts—cementing itself as the most viral anti‑corruption campaign ever mounted against a single figure in Philippine social media history. Even as Romualdez scrambled to fight back, filing more than 80 lawsuits against PGMN, the nonstop stream of content exposing him only grew louder and more relentless.
The plunder charge against Romualdez has been raffled to the Sandiganbayan’s 3rd Division, led by Associate Justice Ronald Moreno—the same division that once granted Bong Revilla, Jr. bail after he posted 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.
