By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the arrest of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez should now clear the way for the judicial process to take its course and allow evidence to determine the truth behind the controversial flood control scandal.
Lacson made the statement Monday evening following the arrest of Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying the development should answer critics who had accused the administration of lacking the resolve to pursue those implicated in the flood control controversy.
“With the arrest of his cousin, former Speaker Romualdez, the President’s critics who have accused him of weak leadership and a lack of resolve in confronting the flood-control mess should now be silenced by his action,” Lacson said in a social media post.
He also expressed support for the Office of the Ombudsman, saying the agency deserved the backing of the Filipino people as the case moves into the judicial process.
“The Ombudsman likewise deserves all the praise and support from the Filipino people,” Lacson said.
“Let the trial proceed and let the evidence speak. Most importantly, the former Speaker is now given his day in court,” he added.
Lacson had earlier invited Romualdez to appear before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee during its hearings into the flood control scandal. The former speaker, however, did not attend the proceedings.
The arrest warrant against Romualdez was served Monday evening by authorities following its issuance by the Sandiganbayan.
Romualdez was confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City when authorities served the warrant. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the former speaker was informed of the warrant, read his rights and subjected to the required booking procedure.
Remulla said police had secured Romualdez, who had been taken to the hospital earlier Monday.
With the warrant served and the booking process completed, Remulla said Romualdez was now considered a person deprived of liberty.
The development moves the controversy from the political arena toward the courts, where the allegations against the former speaker will be tested through the legal process and the evidence presented in the case.
ia/xf
