Romualdez Denies Involvement in Ex-Bodyguards' Recantation; Ombudsman Eyes Charges

Leyte Representative and former Speaker Martin Romualdez on Friday vehemently denied allegations by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla that he was behind the recantation of his former bodyguards who had previously implicated him in a corruption scandal. In a statement, Romualdez asserted, "The Ombudsman's accusation that I am behind the recantations of the former Marines is absolutely not true. This shows how extremely prejudiced he is against me." Romualdez is currently under investigation by the Ombudsman for alleged plunder, graft, and direct bribery, stemming from accusations of accepting deliveries of money supposedly sourced from public funds by his former bodyguards. Romualdez stated that the recantations prove his long-standing claim that the accusations against him are false and trumped up, adding, "This is not a fair process in finding out the truth." He vowed, "I will not be intimidated. I will face every accusation against me, defend myself with the facts, the evidence, and the truth." Meanwhile, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, in a press conference, indicated that the three former bodyguards who recanted their affidavits implicating Romualdez, along with other individuals behind the move, will face consequences. "Recantation is frowned upon by the courts. That is the way that the courts are supposed to take recantations, especially on these people who issued testimonies against Romualdez twice. We'll bring them up as hostile witnesses and they will be charged as part of the accused," Remulla said. He further added, "That's natural. They were not charged because they are testifying. If they are not testifying, they will be charged. Accessory after the fact. Pinagtatakpan nila (They are covering up)." This development raises questions about the credibility of testimonies in Philippine political corruption cases and the fairness of judicial processes. The outcome could significantly impact Romualdez's political career, the trajectory of the Ombudsman's investigation, and public trust in the Philippine justice system.