Former DPWH Sec. Manuel Bonoan. Photo courtesy of PNA/Avito Dalan.
The camp of former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez is asking the Office of the Ombudsman to disclose any new allegations that may emerge from former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and give the lawmaker time to respond.
Romualdez’s lawyer Ade Fajardo said Sunday that any fresh statement from Bonoan or other witnesses should be made known to the defense while the matter remains under preliminary investigation.
“We are requesting the Ombudsman to inform us if there is any allegation from Secretary Bonoan against former Speaker Romualdez and to give us ample time to comment on it,” Fajardo said.
The request came after the Sandiganbayan ordered Bonoan’s release following prosecutors’ move to exclude him from a plunder case. Anti-graft prosecutors are seeking to use the former DPWH chief as a state witness in cases tied to alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Fajardo said Romualdez’s camp also wanted to know whether other witnesses reportedly being lined up by the Ombudsman had made statements against his client.
He argued that the lawmaker should be given the opportunity to answer any accusation before prosecutors decide whether charges should be filed in court.
The defense noted that Bonoan had not previously accused Romualdez of arranging budget insertions or taking part in alleged backroom deals involving infrastructure funds.
Romualdez has repeatedly denied involvement in alleged anomalous flood control projects and kickback schemes.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Thursday that corruption cases against Romualdez were being prepared despite the withdrawal of some earlier witness statements. No court has found Romualdez liable for the allegations.