Ombudsman 'very close' to finishing fact-finding vs. Romualdez over flood control controversy

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Friday that his office is very close to finishing its fact-finding investigation into alleged plunder charges against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez concerning a flood control project controversy. "We’re very close to filing the plunder charges. But we still have to cross the Ts and dot some Is and probably two periods and sentences. ‘Yun na lang, ganoon kalapit na ‘yan (it’s that close)," he said in a press briefing. Remulla later affirmed that the investigation is "about ready for preliminary investigation." "Kailangan kasi kapag tiningnan ‘yung kasong fina-file mo, isang buo siyang kapanipaniwala at madaling makapa. Kasi, baka mamaya kung saan-saan nanggagaling ‘yung idea mo, hindi maganda ang pagkakagawa, siyempre ma-su-suffer ang kaso,” Remulla said. (When the case you are filing is examined, it has to be coherent, credible, and easy to follow. Because if your ideas are coming from all over the place and the case is poorly put together, then of course the case will suffer.) In June, the Ombudsman defended its plan to tap former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan as a state witness, saying his testimony could help build a stronger case against Romualdez. When asked if the case against Romualdez will still stand without Bonoan, Remulla said that the case is not that simple. "You’re talking about layers and layers of lawyers. People who will defend and go to any extent to defend their client. So hindi ganoon kadali. But we’re managing to thread the needle, so to speak,” he said. The investigation highlights the public's concern over corruption allegations in Philippine politics and the pursuit of accountability by government agencies. Romualdez is a prominent political figure in the Philippines, and his actions are often under scrutiny.