Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez's counsel, lawyer Ade Fajardo, has cited developments in the malversation case against former senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. as indication that the "case" against his client was weak, if not totally unwarranted.

Romualdez, a two-time former House Speaker, is the subject of preliminary investigation for possible plunder and money laundering by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the flood control projects mess.

Fajardo, in a radio interview, said the Sandiganbayan granted Revilla's petition for bail because it determined the evidence against him to be weak despite the testimony of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernado that he delivered flood control project-related kickbacks to him.

Fajardo, a former national president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), says there is no such allegation in the case of Romualdez, the Ombudsman’s actions notwithstanding.

“Kung si Senator Revilla…meron talagang mismong undersecretary ng DPWH na nagsabi na siya ay nag-deliver ng salapi, ah hindi pa rin sapat para sa Sandiganbayan. Eh eto kay dating Speaker, wala talagang ganung testimonya,” he underscored.

(If Senator Revilla had an actual DPWH undersecretary testify that he delivered money, and even that was not enough for the Sandiganbayan, then here with the former Speaker, there is no such testimony at all.)

Revilla was recently released on a P1-million bail after the Sandiganbayan Third Division granted his petition regarding a malversation case tied to a P92.8 million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.

In the same interview, Fajardo noted that the “maleta boys”--a reference to 18 former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co--have not come up with evidence against Romualdez despite their repeated claims that they delivered kickbacks from anomalous or "ghost" flood control projects to him and other lawmakers.

For example, the lawyer said the bodyguards-slash-ex-soldiers haven't been able to produce close-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage to support their on the supposed deliveries, which he referred to as mere "kwento" (stories).

“Hindi katanggap-tanggap, pabali-baliktad, nadagdagan, nababawasan, talagang walang ano, mersenaryo yung pakay nitong mga sundalo natin,” he said.

(It is unacceptable, inconsistent, added to, reduced—truly without basis, mercenary in intent from our soldiers.)

“Kwento lang eh. Kwento lang ito na walang basehan, na walang back-up noh. Walang CCTV, walang picture, lahat wala po eh talagang. Lahat nakasalalay sa kwento at salaysay na napatunayan naman na hindi katanggap-tanggap at di kapani-paniwala ang mga salayasay,” stressed Fajardo.

(It is just a story. This is only a story without foundation, without back-up. No CCTV, no picture, nothing at all. Everything depends on accounts and statements that have already been proven unacceptable and unbelievable.)

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has decided to file perjury (lying) charges against the 18 maleta boys.

Fajardo has reiterated that if the weight of proof against Revilla is lacking, then there is really no evidence in the case of the veteran congressman from Leyte.

“Nakulangan ang korte sa pagkakataon na ito. Kaya yun nga ang sinasabi natin na sana hindi naman basta-basta ikulong ang tao, sampahan ng kaso kung yun nga walang gaanong ebidensiya na mag-uugnay sa ganitong mga alegasyon,” he said.

(The court fell short this time. That’s why we’re saying people shouldn’t just be jailed or charged if there isn’t enough evidence linking them to such allegations.)

“Lalo na sa pagkakataon na ito kay congressman Romualdez. Wala talagang ebidensiya,” he further said.

(Especially in this case with Congressman Romualdez. There really is no evidence.)

Romualdez's camp has repeatedly said that the ex-Speaker had no direct participation in the enactment of the national budget bill, except when he signed the final version of the measure.