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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman Remulla accuses ex-speaker Romualdez's camp of hand in ex-bodyguards' recantation

Ombudsman Remulla accuses ex-speaker Romualdez's camp of hand in ex-bodyguards' recantation

Published Aug 7, 2026 04:35 pm
(MB FILE PHOTO/MARTIN ROMUALDEZ FACEBOOK PAGE)
(MB FILE PHOTO/MARTIN ROMUALDEZ FACEBOOK PAGE)
Ombudsman Jesus “Crispin” Remulla has accused the camp of former House speaker Martin Romualdez of being behind the recantation of some of former lawmaker Zaldy Co’s former bodyguards, saying the move shows the camp’s desperation as the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) has already built a “solid case.”
“You make a big thing out of it, but I tell you, it’s to our advantage makikita mo talaga (you can see) how desperate that camp is to take away the witnesses against them because we have built a solid case already,” he said during a press briefing on Friday, Aug. 7.
When asked to clarify which camp, Remulla said: “The camp of former [House] speaker Romualdez, his lawyer, his strategists, his advisers—‘yung mga tumutulong sa kanya kasama na ‘yan (all who help him are included).”
The Ombudsman said that only the camp of Romualdez is the only one that will benefit from the recantation of the three former bodyguards.
“They’re trying to do it. They’re desperate,” he said. 
“Sino pa ba ang ibang makikinabang dyan kapag nag-recant ‘yan (Who else would benefit from the  recantation)?”
Meanwhile, Remulla assured the public that the OMB has other evidence against the former House speaker aside from the affidavits of his former bodyguards.
“That’s not the only evidence that we have. Marami kaming ibang ebidensya pa (We have a lot of other evidence),” he said.
The three bodyguards who recanted their earlier affidavits, according to the OMB, will be charged as part of the accused.
“They will be charged. As part of the accused. Kasi nga kaya nga hindi sila chinarge kasi nga tumitestigo sila (They were not charged precisely because they were testifying),” said Remulla.
“Kapag hindi sila tumestigo, i-cha-charge namin nila. Co-accused na sila [ni Martin Romualdez]. Accessories after the fact. Pinagtatakpan nila (If they refuse to testify, we will charge them. They will become co-accused with Martin Romualdez as accessories after the fact. They are covering it up),” he added.
On July 20, the OMB said it will file two separate complaints for preliminary investigation against Romualdez, Co, and several others for alleged plunder and violations of the Anti-Money Laundering Act in connection with its investigation into alleged irregularities involving flood control projects.
In an earlier statement, Romualdez criticized Remulla for allegedly relying on discredited witnesses facing cyberlibel and perjury charges in an attempt to implicate him in the flood control projects scandal.
RELATED STORY: 'Extreme prejudice': Romualdez hits Remulla for saying he caused 'maleta boys' retraction

Related Tags

Jesus Crispin Remulla Martin Romualdez Zaldy Co Office of the Ombudsman Ombudsman House of Representatives Flood control scandal Recantation Witnesses Plunder investigation
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