Ombudsman files supplemental complaint vs. Romualdez, Co for alleged misuse of public funds

A special panel of investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman has filed a supplemental complaint affidavit against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, and others for the conduct of a preliminary investigation. The investigators alleged that Romualdez and Co conspired to amass ill-gotten wealth amounting to P56 billion from 2022 to 2025 through “transactions involving the diversion and misuse of public funds and the receipt of undue pecuniary benefits in connection with government dealings.” They were accused of committing plunder, graft, and direct bribery. According to Isa Avendaño-Umali’s report on Super Radyo dzBB, this is for the preliminary investigation against Romualdez, Co, and others over the flood control controversy. The panel also recommended the filing of an information against Romualdez for money laundering and indirect bribery. “The newly discovered evidence supplements and corroborates the allegations in the Complaint concerning the delivery of large sums of cash to Romualdez,” the affidavit read. According to the investigators, the evidence established that a portion of the cash delivered came from “commitments” collected from government projects. The panel said the evidence also revealed that several corporate entities appear to have been utilized as conduits for the diversion and disposition of public funds through the abuse of public office and the use of dummies, nominees, and closely held corporations. “These entities were used to acquire, hold, transfer, conceal, and obscure assets beneficially owned or controlled by Romualdez and his associates,” the investigators said. They also impleaded more corporations and individuals. “While Romualdez and Co exploited their official positions and influence over the national budget process to generate the illicit proceeds… Sereño, the Jane and John Does, and the other co-conspirators knowingly participated, by their individual acts, in the receipt, transport, delivery, concealment, and safekeeping of the enormous sums of cash generated,” the panel said. “Although their participation varied in character and degree, their acts collectively enabled Romualdez to amass, accumulate, acquire, and conceal ill-gotten wealth, rendering each of them equally liable as conspirators,” it added. The investigators cited the testimony of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. They said that without their public offices and influence, the commitments described by Bernardo and the deliveries of cash to properties associated with Romualdez could not have been generated. Last week, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the Ombudsman is set to file complaints for preliminary investigation against Romualdez and Co. During this period, Romualdez was the Speaker of the House of Representatives while Co was the chairperson of the House committee on appropriations. Last week, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said his office is very close to finishing its fact-finding investigation against Romualdez. Romualdez previously denied the allegations against him. Meanwhile, Co has yet to return to the country amid the charges against him. He was last reported in Prague, Czech Republic. In a statement, Romualdez’s spokesperson, lawyer Elaine Atienza, reiterated that the lawmaker will face the allegations against him. “Naniniwala kami na kung magkakaroon ng patas na laban at patas na paghuhusga batay sa ebidensya, mapapatunayan ni Rep. Romualdez ang kanyang panig,” Atienza said. (We believe that if there is a fair trial and a fair judgment based on the evidence, Rep. Romualdez will be able to prove his side.) “Hinihiling lamang namin sa publiko na hayaang manaig ang proseso at ebidensya ang magpasya,” she added. (We are only asking the public to allow due process to prevail and let the evidence determine the outcome.) —with Tina Panganiban Perez/AOL, GMA News