Delays in the signing of the affidavits of eight former Marines are slowing its investigation against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) on Thursday, July 2.

It then urged their lawyer to expedite the review so the statements can be formally included in its evidence.

Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic “Mico” Clavano IV said the eight affiants have been cooperating with investigators but have yet to sign their affidavits because these are still being reviewed by their legal counsel, Levito Baligod

“Since June 20, nung binigay na namin ‘yung draft affidavits kay Atty. Levi Baligod, he seems to be delaying the signatures of the 18 marines. And that’s one of the things that’s delaying the case, also, against former Speaker (Since June 20, when we gave the draft affidavits to Atty. Levi Baligod, he appears to have been delaying the signatures of the 18 Marines. And that’s one of the things delaying the case against the former Speaker as well),” he said during a press briefing.

“As much as we want to keep moving for these cases, somehow there are always these blocks and challenges. And isa na ito sa mga causes of delay (And this is one of the causes of delay),” he added.

According to Clavano, the former Marines themselves have been cooperative but are waiting for their lawyer to complete his review before signing the affidavits.

“In fairness, nagko-cooperate sila. ‘Yun nga lang pag pirmahan na, hindi na nila pinipirma hangga’t hindi pa ma-review ng abogado nila. We understand that, of course. It always has to have the conformity of their lawyers. That’s part of their rights of any individual who wants to submit their statement here. (In fairness, they have been cooperating. It’s just that when it’s time to sign, they do not sign until their lawyer has reviewed the affidavits. We understand that, of course. It always has to have the conformity of their lawyers. That’s part of the rights of any individual who wants to submit a statement here),” he said.

Clavano urged the affiants to sign their affidavits soon, saying they may even seek another lawyer if necessary.

“We would just like to urge, sana, the affiants to just come over. If they need to bring another lawyer, then okay. If Atty. Baligod, okay. Gusto na namin makuha ‘yung signed affidavit ng mga 18 marines. Meron naman na talaga kaming kukunin dyan sa kanilang mga sinasabi. And it’s first and foremost for that case that I mentioned already (We would just like to urge the affiants to come over. If they need to bring another lawyer, then that’s okay. If it’s Atty. Baligod, that’s also okay. We already want to obtain the signed affidavits of the 18 Marines. We already have information we intend to use from their statements. And first and foremost, it is for the case that I already mentioned),” he said.

He disclosed that investigators are focusing on eight affidavits because these involve individuals with first-hand knowledge relevant to the investigation.

“Walo. Eight of 18, or 8 of 22 seem to be of help to us, especially when it relates to the case of the former Speaker. It’s just that since June 20, supposedly it’s on review by the lawyers, but until this day, actually they were supposed to sign it today and then they asked for another extension naman. But these affidavits are quite straightforward. Hindi naman masyado mahaba so, [in] minutes the lawyers can go over it and see kung okay na ba, informative substance. Pero hanggang ngayon, hindi pa natin nakukuha. Simpleng bagay (Eight. Eight of 18, or eight of 22, seem to be of help to us, especially in relation to the case involving the former Speaker. It’s just that since June 20, the affidavits have supposedly been under review by the lawyers, but until today, they were actually supposed to sign them today, and then they asked for another extension. These affidavits are quite straightforward. They are not very long, so in minutes the lawyers can go over them and determine whether the substance is informative enough. But until now, we still have not received them. It’s a simple matter),” he said.

Clavano said the affidavits were supposed to be signed on June 20, when all eight affiants were present, but the signing has been delayed twice after their lawyer requested one-week extensions.

“Twice na-delay. But they ask for a week extension. June 20 pa sana napirmahan since that was the time na nandito sila, nakompleto ‘yung 8. Pero hanggang ngayon hindi pa napipirmahan. I really believe na kayang-kaya ng mga abogado tapusin ‘yon (It has already been delayed twice. They asked for a one-week extension. The affidavits should have been signed as early as June 20 since that was the time the eight affiants were all present. But until now, they remain unsigned. I really believe the lawyers can easily finish reviewing them),” he said.

He noted that unsigned affidavits cannot yet be treated as sworn evidence.

“It’s a mere scrap of paper right now kasi hindi pa siya pirmado. It’s not under oath. But they seem to be cooperative, willing to sign already, ‘yung mga affiants mismo. Pero syempre we also want the lawyer to review ‘yung kanilang mga statements para everything is onboard, and it’s a part of their rights to seek counsel (It’s a mere scrap of paper right now because it has not yet been signed. It’s not under oath. But the affiants themselves seem to be cooperative and willing to sign already. Of course, we also want the lawyer to review their statements so everything is onboard, and it is part of their right to seek counsel),” he said.

Clavano said the latest extension gives the lawyer until next week to complete the review.

“Sa akin lang, sana mapirmahan na ng mga affiants, para we can pop that into our bank of evidence (For me, I just hope the affiants sign the affidavits already so we can add them to our bank of evidence),” he said.

As of posting time, the former speaker had yet to issue statements on the matter. The Manila Bulletin will publish his statement once available.