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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Romualdez insists he had no hand in flood control mess; vows to cooperate with Ombudsman

Romualdez insists he had no hand in flood control mess; vows to cooperate with Ombudsman

Published Apr 6, 2026 07:40 pm

At A Glance

  • The camp of Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez is insisting on the former two-time House Speaker's innocence when it comes to the flood control projects corruption scandal.
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (PPAB)
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (PPAB)


The camp of Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez is insisting on the former two-time House Speaker's innocence when it comes to the flood control projects corruption scandal.
This, after news broke out Monday, April 6 that the Office of the Ombudsman under Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla was preparing a case of plunder against Romualdez and former Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero in relation to the 2024 and 2025 national budgets.
"We have taken note of news reports regarding the alleged preparation of a complaint involving Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez," lawyer Ade Fajardo, Romualdez's spokesperson, said in a statement on Monday night.
"To be clear, this refers only to a reported preparation of a complaint—there is no filed case, no finding of probable cause, and no determination of liability at this time," Fajardo said.
"We want to emphasize that, to-date, there is no evidence linking Rep. Romualdez to any ghost and substandard projects pertaining to the flood control issue," the lawyer underscored.
The most important task of Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate) every year is to craft and pass the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), or the proposed national budget. The various projects and programs that are carried out by the government each year are spelled out in the GAB.
Once enacted or signed by the President, the GAB becomes the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
"We respect the processes of the Office of the Ombudsman and will fully cooperate if and when a formal proceeding is initiated," Fajardo said.
"We trust that the Ombudsman will fully adhere to the circular that he instituted and signed as then secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ), that DOJ prosecutors should only pursue cases with 'reasonable certainty of conviction'," he noted.
Fajardo further said: "We remain confident that these matters will be resolved based on evidence and due process—not politics or speculation."
Romualdez is chairman of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the biggest political party in the House in terms of membership.

House secretery general responds to Remulla
In a separate statement on Monday night, House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil also responded to pronouncements that Remulla reportedly made about her supposed non-issuance of a subpoena for the release of House employees' statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN).
"Malaki po ang paggalang ng Office of the Secretary General sa Office of the Ombudsman at sa mandato nito (The Office of the Secretary General holds great respect for the Office of the Ombudsman and its mandate)," Garafil said.
The secretary general went on to cite the House's tweaked work schedule as reason for the perceived non-compliance.
House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil (PPAB)
House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil (PPAB)
"Ang mga komunikasyong ipinadadala sa House ay tinatanggap at pinoproseso ayon sa umiiral na mga patakaran. Sa kasalukuyan, tuwing Martes at Miyerkules lamang po ang onsite work sa House bilang bahagi ng ipinatutupad na work-from-home arrangement kaugnay ng energy-saving measures," she explained.
(Communications sent to the House are received and processed in accordance with existing rules. At present, onsite work in the House is conducted only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as part of the work-from-home arrangement being implemented in line with energy-saving measures.)
"Wala po kaming intensyong magpakita ng kawalang-galang o umiwas sa pagtugon. Ang lahat ng opisyal na komunikasyon ay aming aasikasuhin nang naaayon sa mga tuntunin at may buong paggalang sa institusyon," noted Garafil.
(We have no intention of showing disrespect or evading response. All official communications will be attended to in accordance with the rules and with full respect for the institution.)
Garafil is the highest-ranked civilian in the House of Representatives.

Related Tags

Martin Romualdez Boying Remulla Ombudsman flood control mess Cheloy Garafil
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