Ombudsman Orders Arrest of President's Cousin Over Alleged P7.4 Billion Kickbacks

A Philippine court on Monday ordered the arrest of Martin Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker, on charges of plunder. He is accused of allegedly receiving about P7.4 billion ($118.21 million) in kickbacks from government flood-control projects. The arrest order by the anti-graft court comes two months after President Marcos vowed in his State of the Nation Address to intensify his anti-corruption campaign, stating he was "not the president of my family" and "not the president of my friends." The Office of the Ombudsman has accused Romualdez of amassing the substantial sum from commissions, commitment fees, bribes, and other illicit payments linked to flood-control projects awarded between 2022 and 2025. Romualdez, who served as House Speaker from 2022 to 2025 and was a key ally of Marcos, has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer stated that Romualdez would face the allegations in court and sought no special treatment, only "the same due process and fair hearing guaranteed to every Filipino." The case emerges as large parts of the disaster-prone country are inundated by monsoon rains, intensifying public scrutiny of alleged irregularities in flood control projects and fueling widespread anger on social media. Graft in these programs has been a significant embarrassment for Marcos, who last year announced that P545 billion ($8.71 billion) in flood control spending from 2022-2025 had been riddled with alleged irregularities and pledged a comprehensive investigation. His executive secretary, budget minister, and public works minister are among dozens of officials who have resigned or been dismissed over the scandal, which has also led to the detention of two senators, a former senator, and at least eight public works officials. "We are not singling out anyone. Everything is based on evidence," Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla told reporters. "This case proves that we do not take sides with anyone. We simply want those who are responsible to be held accountable." Under Philippine law, plunder is generally a non-bailable offense. Jean Encinas-Franco, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines, commented that the move against Romualdez is "a step in the right direction" and will challenge perceptions that the Marcos administration has been selective in pursuing corruption cases.