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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Romualdez hits Ombudsman tactic of tapping 'discredited' witnesses against him

Romualdez hits Ombudsman tactic of tapping 'discredited' witnesses against him

Published Jul 31, 2026 07:49 pm

At A Glance

  • Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez accused Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla of using discredited witnesses facing cyberlibel and perjury charges to implicate him in the flood control projects scandal.
  • Romualdez, president of Lakas-CMD, said he is being unfairly singled out despite the DOJ confirming that the Ombudsman had dismissed the affidavit of 18 ex-bodyguards who accused him.
  • He vowed not to back down, insisting on equal justice and rejecting what he described as an unjust investigation.
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (PPAB)
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (PPAB)


Embattled former House Speaker, Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez has assailed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla for allegedly using discredit witnesses just to pin him down.
"Pantay na hustisya lamang ang hinihingi ko (I only ask for equal justice)," Romualdez said in as statement Friday, July 31.
"But the Ombudsman is using witnesses he himself and now the DOJ (Department of Justice) have already publicly discredited -- and who are now facing cyberlibel and perjury charges," he said, without mentioning anybody in particular.
"Ito ba ang patas na imbestigasyon? (Is this a fair investigation?)" asked Romualdez, who is being linked to the flood control projects corruption scandal.
The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Among his most vocal accusers are the so-called 18 ex-bodyguards who acted as bagmen in connection with alleged anomalous flood control projects, and their counsel, lawyer Levi Baligod.
The DOJ had revealed that rhe Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the joint affidavit executed by the 18 ex-bodyguards
It added that cyberlibel charges against the 18 and Baligod have been filed.
Romualdez spoke against what he described as his being singled out by the Ombudsman.
"Mga testigong ibinasura na, kinasuhan pa ng cyberlibel at perjury — gagamitin pa rin para lang ituro ako at ako lamang," Romualdez, a two-time former Speaker, said.
(Witnesses already dismissed, even charged with cyberlibel and perjury — yet still being used just to point at me, and me alone.)
He ended his statement with a vow to keep fighting. "Hindi ako uurong sa laban na ito. Hindi ako matitinag. Gawin natin ang tama."
(I will not back down from this fight. I will not be shaken. Let us do what is right.)

Related Tags

OMBUDSMAN Boying Remulla MARTIN ROMUALDEZ DOJ 18 marines flood control projects OMBUDSMAN Boying Remulla MARTIN ROMUALDEZ DOJ 18 marines flood control projects
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