Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez is now under a preliminary Ombudsman investigation over a money laundering complaint, drawing the former House Speaker deeper into legal scrutiny connected to the flood control corruption controversy.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the complaint against Romualdez has already reached the preliminary investigation phase, where the Ombudsman determines whether the evidence is sufficient to justify the filing of charges.
“The [complaint] for former speaker Romualdez is also at the preliminary stage,” Clavano said.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla had earlier said plunder cases against Romualdez and Sen. Chiz Escudero would be filed this month.
The case forms part of the broader flood control controversy that has placed several public officials, contractors and alleged financial channels under investigation. The Ombudsman had earlier asked the Sandiganbayan to issue a precautionary hold departure order against Romualdez, who was being investigated over allegations that include plunder and money laundering. The Ombudsman’s application cited a complaint-affidavit involving an alleged kickback scheme connected to flood control projects.
The Ombudsman also said the complaint-affidavit alleged that total kickbacks reached around ₱56 billion and that the supposed scheme revolved around flood control projects. The application cited witness testimonies and documents allegedly linking Romualdez to the controversy.
Romualdez’s camp had earlier attempted to stop the Ombudsman from pursuing the probe, alleging bias and prejudgment. The Ombudsman rejected calls to inhibit itself and maintained that its prosecutors are duty-bound to pursue cases involving public officials.
The development keeps Romualdez at the center of one of the country’s most closely watched corruption investigations, with the preliminary probe now focused on whether the money laundering complaint against him should proceed further.
