Romualdez Camp Rejects Ombudsman's Stance, Cites Recantations as Weakening Case

LEYTE REP. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez’s camp on Tuesday rejected the Ombudsman’s position that witness recantations constitute additional evidence against him, saying the reversals instead weaken the allegations against the former House of Representatives speaker. In a statement, Abdiel Dan Elijah Fajardo, Mr. Romualdez’s spokesman, said that the recantations should raise questions about the credibility of the witnesses’ original allegations rather than strengthen the case against his client. “Well, we respectfully disagree,” Mr. Fajardo said, referring to Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic “Mico” F. Clavano IV’s position that the original statements and subsequent recantations should both be considered evidence in the preliminary investigation. Mr. Clavano earlier said a recantation is “not an eraser,” arguing that investigators should examine which account is truthful. Mr. Fajardo said that the conflicting statements should instead be resolved by examining the credibility and reliability of the witnesses and determining whether their claims are supported by independent evidence. “In our estimation, and in our appreciation of those recantations, our position is that there is really no case anymore; it is already exceedingly weak,” he said in Filipino. Orly R. Guteza, who previously alleged that he participated in delivering cash-filled suitcases to a residence allegedly associated with Mr. Romualdez, has withdrawn his allegation. Several former security aides of former lawmaker Elizaldy “Zaldy” S. Co have also recanted earlier accounts involving alleged cash deliveries. — Pexcel John Bacon