Martin Romualdez camp seeks dismissal of flood control probe

The legal team for former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has requested that the Office of the Ombudsman dismiss complaints involving plunder, graft, bribery, and money laundering related to alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

Romualdez’s lawyer, Atty. Ade Fajardo, argued that there are no credible witnesses linking the former speaker to the controversy. Fajardo noted that 32 former staff members of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co had withdrawn their previous allegations and that former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan did not identify Romualdez as being involved in the alleged scam.

However, the Ombudsman maintains that it has 28 witnesses providing direct and significant information regarding the transactions under investigation. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano stated that previous testimony does not automatically lose value due to subsequent recantations. The agency intends to examine the original statements, the reasons behind the withdrawals, and reports suggesting some witnesses may have been paid to recant.