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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Walang ganun!': Romualdez camp says Clavano's flee attempt claim 'baseless'

'Walang ganun!': Romualdez camp says Clavano's flee attempt claim 'baseless'

Published Jul 21, 2026 11:51 pm

At A Glance

  • Romualdez's camp rejects Clavano's claim as baseless, stressing he has stayed in the Philippines and is ready for probes.
  • Counsel clarifies the Ombudsman's move is only a preliminary investigation, not proof of guilt, and warns of false perceptions.
  • Lawyers reiterate Romualdez never hid or tried to flee, and they are considering legal options against the claim.
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (Facebook)
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (Facebook)


The camp of Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez has branded as "baseless" the claim of Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano that the former House Speaker is trying to flee the country amid possible plunder charges.
According to Ade Fajardo, Romualdez's legal counsel, the Leyte solon has remained in the country since the flood control controversy broke out.
The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president even personally appeared before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which President Marcos formed specifically to probe such issue.
Earlier, the Ombudsman announced the imminent filing of plunder as well as money laundering charges against Romualdez, Marcos' cousin.
But Fajardo notes that the Ombudsman’s announcement concerns only the commencement of a preliminary investigation and does not constitute a finding of guilt against Romualdez.
He reiterated that Romualdez is ready to face any complaint the Ombudsman may file against him.
Moreover, Fajardo said he did not know where Clavano was getting its information.
"Wala kaming idea kung saan nakuha o napulot ni Assistant Ombudsman Clavano ang mga ganyang detalye. Muling naming lilinawin na hindi umalis at umaalis ng bansa si dating Speaker Romualdez. Lagi siyang handa na humarap sa lahat ng mga investigasyon,” he said.
(We have no idea where Assistant Ombudsman Clavano got those details. We reiterate that former Speaker Romualdez has not left and does not leave the country. He is always ready to face all investigations.)
“Nagtataka talaga kami kung saan nakuha at nanggaling ang impormasyon na iyan kasi hindi naman nagtangka na umalis ng Pilipinas si Congressman Romualdez, nandito siya at handa po humarap sa investigation,” he said.
(We are really wondering where that information came from because Congressman Romualdez never attempted to leave the Philippines, he is here and ready to face the investigation.)
He lamented the adverse perception on the ex-Speaker that might have been created by the Ombudsman’s “baseless” information.
“Yan po kami nagtataka at siyempre nababahala dahil wala namang basehan. At parang ang epekto lang nito ay siyempre nagkakaroon tuloy ng perception ang ating mga kababayan na mukhang guilty si Congressman Romualdez dahil sa pagtatangkang pagtakas,” he said.
(That is what we are wondering about and of course concerned because there is no basis. And the effect of this is that it creates a perception among our people that Congressman Romualdez looks guilty because of an alleged attempt to escape.)
Fajardo says they are studying their options on what to do about Clavano's false claim.
“So kami ay nag-aaral ng ating options under the law what to do with this information. Kahapon lang 'yan sinambulat sa atin at feeling natin hindi naman kailangang ipagsasabi ang mga bagay na wala namang basehan at wala namang dahilan para tumakas ang former Speaker,” he said.
(So we are studying our options under the law on what to do with this information. That was just sprung on us yesterday and we feel there is no need to spread things that have no basis and no reason for the former Speaker to flee.)
On Monday, another Romualdez lawyer, Elaine Atienza, said the former House leader had no plans to leave the country. She says the solon will answer any complaint once it is formally served.
Atienza rejected insinuations that the Leyte lawmaker was evading the legal process.
“We deny in the strongest possible way any insinuation that Rep. Romualdez has attempted to evade the legal process. Uulitin po namin: kailanman ay hindi nagtago si Rep. Romualdez,” she said.
(We repeat: Rep. Romualdez has never gone into hiding.)

Related Tags

Ombudsman plunder Flood control project Martin Romualdez Mico Clavano
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