MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman is set to pursue plunder charges against Senator Chiz Escudero and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez over the alleged flood control controversy, with officials aiming to file the case within May.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said evidence gathered, including testimonies presented before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, suggests the existence of a conspiracy that may amount to plunder.
“We are seriously preparing a plunder case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate President Chiz Escudero,” Remulla said in a press briefing on Monday.
He explained that witness accounts presented during the Senate investigation point to possible coordinated actions tied to the alleged misuse of funds.
“You’ve heard the testimony from witnesses in the Senate, and when you analyze it, it indicates there was a conspiracy to commit plunder,” he said.
Remulla confirmed that the case being built by the Ombudsman is connected to flood control projects.
He added that investigators reviewed the 2024 and 2025 national budgets as part of the inquiry.
The Ombudsman said the complaint is expected to be filed within May as prosecutors finalize supporting documents and evidence.
Romualdez and Escudero were asked for their side but had yet to issue statements at the time of publication.
Aside from the two lawmakers, Remulla said several other individuals could be named in the complaint, including officials from the Department of Budget and Management.
He also noted that the probe may extend to earlier periods, possibly reaching back to the tenure of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
ia/xf
