Romualdez camp hits ombudsman’s ‘prejudgment’

MANILA, Philippines — By calling former speaker Martin Romualdez the “mastermind” of flood control corruption, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla may have already prejudged the Leyte representative even before evidence could be presented, a legal counsel for the lawmaker said yesterday. “Such a label could create the impression that a conclusion had already been reached even before the Office of the Ombudsman completes its evaluation of the evidence and of Romualdez’s defense, said defense counsel Ade Fajardo. The complaint against the former speaker is still at the preliminary investigation stage. He said Remulla’s labeling Romualdez as mastermind “raises concerns of prejudgment before the evidence has been fully evaluated.” “That’s why we are perplexed at how the ombudsman has been treating the former speaker. It seems this is getting too personal. We don’t understand why he’s been giving too much attention to us and has been pressuring Rep. Romualdez even if there is no credible evidence,” he pointed out. In a letter dated April 22, Romualdez’s lawyers asked Remulla to inhibit from the case, citing his public statements on the investigation. In a statement, Fajardo lamented that the ombudsman has been specifically targeting the former leader of the House of Representatives even if there are other key officials – including lawmakers – linked to the controversy. “Our problem is that at this stage of the investigation, what we are only asking is that we have rules and laws that must be followed, and which no less than the 1987 Constitution provides that we be granted fairness and impartiality,” Fajardo emphasized. He warned derogatory labels could shape public opinion even before investigators have resolved conflicting statements and examined the complete record. “We call that prejudicial, and in effect it’s as if they have been adding fuel to the fire to whatever the people are thinking,” he added. Another lawmaker tagged in the flood control scandal, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, said he will pursue all legal remedies to clear his name after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division allowed the exclusion of former public works chief Manuel Bonoan as a co-accused in plunder and graft charges. “There remain legal remedies available to me under our judicial system, which my legal team will carefully study and pursue at the appropriate time. I intend to avail myself of all remedies provided under our laws,” Estrada said in a statement. “My faith in our judicial system remains firm. I will continue to stand by the truth and pursue every lawful means available to protect my rights and clear my name and honor,” the senator said. The decision of the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division can pave the way for the resigned public works chief to stand as a state witness against Romualdez and other officials. Bonoan has been under hospital arrest since his surrender in June. Dropped as Estrada’s co-accused, Bonoan may post bail for his other case of graft before the Second Division. Lt. Col. Benaly Bayani, chief of the internal medicine department of the Philippine National Police General Hospital at Camp Crame, said Bonoan continues to receive his maintenance medicines under the supervision of their medical team. “Presently, he’s clinically stable and his hypertension is controlled,” Bayani told reporters. Reacting to the legal reprieve for Bonoan, Palace press officer Claire Castro said the court’s decision is beyond the authority of President Marcos. “They (Sandiganbayan justices) are part of the judiciary and there is separation of powers. So whatever their reason is, the valid reasons they saw that prompted them to drop the cases against former secretary Manny Bonoan will be up to the court to evaluate and assess,” Castro said at a media briefing. “I do not want to preempt the ombudsman, but perhaps, they saw a need to make former secretary Manny Bonoan a state witness.” The militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, meanwhile, assailed the Sandiganbayan ruling on Bonoan. — Daphne Galvez, Emmanuel Tupas, Alexis Romero