By el Amigo
MANILA, Philippines — Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has questioned the Office of the Ombudsman’s use of witnesses previously described by government officials as lacking credibility, saying the move raises concerns over the fairness of the investigation against him.
In a statement Friday, Romualdez said Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla is relying on individuals whom both the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice had earlier publicly criticized and who are now facing cyber libel and perjury complaints.
“I am only asking for fairness in the pursuit of justice,” Romualdez said, adding that he would not be intimidated by the investigation.
Romualdez is being investigated over alleged irregularities involving infrastructure projects and the 2025 national budget. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that he had no functional control over budget implementation.
The lawmaker did not identify the witnesses he was referring to. However, the Ombudsman has continued interviewing 18 former bodyguards of former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, who alleged they delivered cash-filled suitcases as part of an alleged kickback scheme tied to flood control projects.
A supplemental complaint filed by Ombudsman prosecutors alleged that about P56 billion in ill-gotten wealth was accumulated from 2022 to 2025 through coordinated activities involving public infrastructure funds.
Earlier this year, however, Remulla himself described the bodyguards’ claims as being made for “political effect,” noting that some were no longer in active service while others were facing criminal cases.
Several lawmakers named by the witnesses have denied the allegations and filed libel and cyber libel complaints against the group.
elamigo/xf
