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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman says filing of plunder complaint vs ex-Speaker Romualdez 'very close'

Ombudsman says filing of plunder complaint vs ex-Speaker Romualdez 'very close'

Published Jul 17, 2026 05:05 pm
(PHOTO: MARTIN ROMUALDEZ FACEBOOK PAGE)
(PHOTO: MARTIN ROMUALDEZ FACEBOOK PAGE)
The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) is “very close” to filing plunder charges against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez over alleged irregularities in the national budget, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said on Friday, July 17.
“We’re very close to filing the plunder charges, but we still have to cross the t’s and dot the i’s. Ganoon na kalapit ‘yan (That’s how close it is),” he said when asked about Romualdez.
“I deliberately didn’t talk about that, pero the cases are just about ready for preliminary investigation,” he added.
Remulla said it is difficult to take on respondents with skilled lawyers and substantial financial resources.
“Mahirap kalaban ang magagaling na abogado at maraming pera (It is difficult to take on opponents with top-notch lawyers and deep pockets),” he said.
Remulla said investigators have already gathered evidence, but emphasized that prosecutors must ensure the case is cohesive, credible, and thoroughly prepared from the outset.
Otherwise, he said, a poorly prepared case could suffer, considering the size of the respondents’ legal team.
(JEL SANTOS/MB PHOTO)
(JEL SANTOS/MB PHOTO)
House ‘basically’ cooperating
According to Remulla, the House of Representatives has basically cooperated with the OMB.
“Basically, they have [cooperated]. Many have cooperated,” he said.
In May, the Ombudsman said the office was encountering difficulties obtaining records from the House of Representatives, adding that the House committee secretariat had refused to cooperate with the investigation.
However, Remulla said some former lawmakers have been uncooperative with the OMB’s probe.
“Although some do not want to cooperate, some former legislators who were there already don’t want to cooperate because obviously, mayroon silang sabit (they themselves may be implicated),” he said.
The Ombudsman had earlier announced that it has accepted former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan as a state witness because his testimony is expected to strengthen its case against Romualdez.
On May 26, Remulla disclosed that the Ombudsman was preparing multiple cases involving Romualdez, including an alleged money laundering case and a broader alleged conspiracy to defraud the National Treasury through the budget process.
As of posting time, Romualdez had yet to issue their respective statements on the matter. The Manila Bulletin will publish his statements once available.

Related Tags

Martin Romualdez Office of the Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla plunder charges national budget corruption investigation Philippine politics House of Representatives budget irregularities government accountability
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