Romualdez faces plunder raps over flood control projects

The Office of the Ombudsman is set to file plunder charges against Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez, former Speaker of the House, in connection with alleged anomalous flood control projects. Sources confirmed to GMA News that the charges will be filed with the Sandiganbayan on Monday. Romualdez's camp has appealed to the Ombudsman for fairness and an opportunity to respond to any new allegations. Ade Fajardo, Romualdez's legal counsel and spokesperson, stated, "We are requesting the Ombudsman to inform us if there is any allegation from former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan against former Speaker Romualdez and to give us ample time to comment on it." He added, "Fair play and due process require that such information and opportunity be accorded to us at this point in the process, the preliminary investigation stage, not if and when the Ombudsman decides to file charges in court." Romualdez's legal counsel also requested information on the reported 28 new witnesses before the Ombudsman, including any statements they may have made against their client. "There is also the report that the Ombudsman has 28 new witnesses. We would like to know if there is any statement from them against our client, and we would like as well to have the opportunity to respond," Fajardo said. Romualdez was first linked to allegedly anomalous projects in September 2025 during a Senate blue ribbon committee hearing, where contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya revealed the names of congressmen who allegedly demanded kickbacks. Curlee Discaya told the committee that Rillo mentioned Romualdez's name several times as his close friend. Romualdez then branded the claim of Discaya as false, malicious, and nothing more than name-dropping. He said he would not allow lies to pass unchecked. "Let me be clear: Wala akong kinalaman, wala akong pahintulot, at wala akong basbas sa mga ganyang gawain,'' he said in a statement. (I have no role and I have not allowed this kind of action.) "Congress debates and approves the budget. It does not release funds. It does not implement projects. That is the sole duty of the Executive and agencies like the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways),'' he added. Romualdez underscored then that he has never, and will never accept a bribe from anybody. The former speaker was also mentioned as supposedly having used the Discaya couple as "front" to buy a high-end property in Makati City. Romualdez however said he has never met the Discayas. In September 2025, Orly Guteza, who identified himself as an ex-Marine and a former security consultant for then Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co, claimed that he personally delivered luggage containing money to the residences of Co in Pasig City and Romualdez in McKinley, Makati City. Romualdez however said Guteza's testimony was "an outright and complete fabrication." In February 2026, a group of 18 men who identified themselves as former security personnel of Co — some of them former Marines — surfaced publicly and executed affidavits alleging that they had delivered suitcases of cash to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Romualdez, Co and other personalities. Four of them later recanted their statement. Guteza also recanted his statement and executed a new affidavit, claiming that Senator Rodante Marcoleta and former House lawmaker Mike Defensor had tapped him to make up accusations against the Leyte congressman in exchange for money and scholarships for his children. On July 20 this year, the Office of the Ombudsman announced that it is set to file preliminary investigation for plunder and the violation of Anti-Money Laundering Act complaints against Romualdez as a result of its fact-finding probe on his alleged involvement in the flood control anomalies. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla later said his office was very close to finishing its fact-finding investigation against Romualdez over the flood control controversy. Despite the recantation of Guteza, the Office of the Ombudsman said last August that it still has 28 witnesses who have material information on the alleged links of the former speaker to the flood control mess. Remulla also said Romualdez's camp was behind the recantation of four former bodyguards who also linked him to the flood control mess. Romualdez's camp however maintained that there is no credible witness linking him to the flood control mess. Fajardo said much of the prior 32 accusers of the former House leader have since recanted their allegations, including Guteza. Romualdez's camp decried on September 1 that the Office of the Ombudsman seems to have "prejudged" him as the mastermind of the flood control mess even before the conclusion of its probe. —with a report from Llanesca T. Panti/KG, GMA News