Former House Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez. Photo courtesy of PNA.
The Office of the Ombudsman ordered former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and the other respondents to answer allegations tied to the investigation into questionable flood control projects.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Tuesday that the preliminary investigation team had directed them to submit counter-affidavits.
The respondents were given 15 days from receipt of the order to file their answers. Romualdez’s camp had not confirmed whether it had received the directive.
The order followed a supplemental complaint-affidavit filed on July 20 against Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and several others.
Investigators accused the respondents of plunder, direct bribery, graft and corruption, and money laundering over alleged transactions from 2022 to 2025.
They alleged that the group accumulated about Php 56 billion in ill-gotten wealth and that proceeds from irregular flood control contracts were routed through companies associated with a Romualdez ally.
Clavano said the Ombudsman would continue its work independently and follow the evidence, including when the investigation involved individuals close to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Romualdez denied the allegations, said he respected the President’s position on the investigation and maintained that he was prepared to prove he had committed no wrongdoing.