The explosive allegations against Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez may no longer rest solely on the testimonies of former security personnel linked to ex-Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.
The Office of the Ombudsman said its investigators have obtained independent supporting evidence that allegedly corroborates accounts of massive cash deliveries supposedly made for Romualdez.
Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic “Mico” Clavano IV made the disclosure after Romualdez questioned the credibility of witnesses whom the anti-graft body had previously criticized over their initial joint affidavit.
Romualdez and Co are accused in a plunder complaint of allegedly working together to accumulate approximately ₱56 billion in ill-gotten wealth from 2022 to 2025.
Prosecutors claimed that large sums of money were transported in suitcases, or “maleta,” with some deliveries allegedly carried out by Co’s former bodyguards.
Initial Affidavit Raised Red Flags
Clavano acknowledged that the first affidavit submitted by the 18 former bodyguards contained serious credibility problems because all of them appeared to be giving an identical account in a single document.
According to the assistant ombudsman, it was highly unlikely for 18 individuals to narrate the same events using the exact same details and wording.
Because of those concerns, investigators ordered the witnesses to submit separate affidavits reflecting their individual recollections and personal participation.
The result, Clavano said, significantly changed the direction of the investigation.
Separate Accounts Allegedly Told the Same Story
After reviewing the individual affidavits, Ombudsman investigators reportedly found that the witnesses provided clear and consistent details regarding the alleged cash transfers from Co to Romualdez.
Clavano said the investigators also secured evidence from independent sources that supported key portions of the witnesses’ statements.
He did not publicly disclose the nature of the corroborating evidence, citing the ongoing preliminary investigation.
The development could strengthen the supplemental complaint filed on July 20, which accuses Romualdez, Co, and several others of plunder, direct bribery, graft, and money laundering.
Romualdez, Co Ordered to Answer
Romualdez, Co, and the other respondents are expected to submit their counter-affidavits to formally deny or explain the allegations against them.
The panel of Ombudsman prosecutors will then compare the accusations, witness accounts, supporting evidence, and defenses before deciding whether there is sufficient basis to file criminal charges in court.
The case remains at the preliminary investigation stage, and no court has yet ruled on the guilt or innocence of any of the respondents.
But with the Ombudsman now claiming that the controversial “maleta” testimonies are backed by independent evidence, the ₱56-billion controversy appears far from over.
