By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday urged former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to confront the plunder charges filed against him, saying the law should apply equally regardless of a person’s status.
“Face the music. Face the charges like a real man should. Man up to it,” Remulla said during a press briefing.
Romualdez is facing detention in connection with an alleged government infrastructure kickback scheme. The Sandiganbayan earlier ordered his transfer to the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) for medical evaluation.
Remulla questioned the circumstances surrounding Romualdez’s request for hospital confinement, saying accused persons should undergo the legal process without receiving preferential treatment.
“We stand by the rule of law in this country. And we don’t want people to have special treatment,” Remulla said.
He added that the justice system should treat wealthy and poor detainees alike.
The Ombudsman also pointed to the conditions faced by many detainees held under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, saying some are in considerably worse circumstances than Romualdez.
Remulla said the Ombudsman would seek an assessment from doctors at PGH to determine whether Romualdez is medically fit to return to BJMP custody.
The former House speaker was detained after the Ombudsman filed a plunder case against him over allegations involving kickbacks from government infrastructure projects.
Remulla also criticized Romualdez’s effort to remain in a hospital, saying he expected the former House speaker to handle the proceedings differently.
“It’s very sad that that guy—the former speaker—is resorting to this. I know him very well. I know him very well, but he should take it with more dignity,” Remulla said.
The Ombudsman meanwhile identified Romualdez as a major figure in the continuing investigation into alleged corruption involving flood control projects.
“Big fish ‘yan… So far, parang wala nang mas mataas pa sa ranggo,” Remulla said.
He clarified, however, that investigators are still examining other individuals who may have been involved.
“Of course, mayroon pa tayo iba tinitingnan, pero sa ngayon, siya pa lang ‘yung nakukuha na mataas na ranggo, pinakamataas na ranggo,” he added.
ia/xf
