Remulla: Plunder case vs. Romualdez a 'big fish' catch

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Monday that government prosecutors have filed a plunder case against Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez and three other individuals. Remulla described the congressman as a "big fish" in the ongoing legal actions. "He is the big fish for now. This is not the end of cases for him. There will be more, and we will be filing cases against more people. Different cases," Remulla stated during a press conference. He added, "What we are after here is accountability." Prosecutors allege that Romualdez accumulated P7.4 billion worth of kickbacks from government projects between 2022 and 2025. These funds were reportedly received from contractors, persons, and entities with interests in flood control, infrastructure, and other government projects funded under the General Appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2022 to 2025. The monies were allegedly delivered to properties owned by, occupied by, or associated with Romualdez and received by co-accused Joselyn Tragua Serenio and other individuals acting on his behalf. Remulla emphasized that the action is a "public obligation" and that "nobody is sacred." He stated, "Martin Romualdez is no stranger to me, the President, or anybody. But it is our obligation to the nation to do what is just. That is what we are implementing here. There are no sacred cows." Romualdez, a former colleague of Remulla in the House of Representatives, is also a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. Remulla assured the public that the filing of the plunder case is based on strong evidence, asserting, "We are not shying away from anybody. These are all grounded on evidence. This case will prove that we are not protecting anybody."