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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Extreme prejudice': Romualdez hits Remulla for saying he caused 'maleta boys' retraction

'Extreme prejudice': Romualdez hits Remulla for saying he caused 'maleta boys' retraction

Published Aug 7, 2026 05:57 pm

At A Glance

  • Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez denies Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla's allegation that he influenced the recantation of some "maleta boys," calling the accusation prejudiced.
  • Romualdez says the recantations prove the accusations against him are false and trumped up, stressing he will face the preliminary investigation on alleged money laundering tied to the flood control projects scandal.
  • He vows to confront the case head-on, asserting he will defend himself with facts, evidence, and truth against the Ombudsman's probe.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla (left), Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (PPAB)
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla (left), Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (PPAB)


Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla's allegation that Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez had a hand in the recantation of some members of the so-called 18 "maleta boys" displayed the farmer's "extreme prejudice".
Thus, said Romualdez in a short statement on Friday afternoon, Aug. 7.
"The Ombudsman’s accusation that I am behind the recantations of the former Marines is absolutely not true. This shows how extremely prejudiced he is against me," Romualdez said of his former ally.
More importantly for Romualdez, he felt a level of exoneration from the recantation carried out by some of the bodyguard-slash-bagmen.
"The recantations prove what I had been saying all along that the accusations against me are false and trumped up," said the two-time former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Romualdez, cousin of President Marcos and president of the dominant Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) is facing a preliminary investigation for the possible charge of money laundering in connection with the flood control projects corruption scandal.
His main accusers have been the so-called 18 bodyguards or marines, who have claimed that they delivered cash payoffs contained in luggages ("maleta") to high-ranking government officials.
Romualdez has repeatedly denied these allegations leading to the recantation of three of them, as far as their affidavits are concerned.
"Hindi ganito ang patas na paghahanap ng katotohanan (This is not about fair way to search for truth)," the Leyte congressman said in a jab at Remulla.
Romualdez vowed to face his predicament with the Ombudsman head on.
"I will not be intimidated. I will face every accusation against me, defend myself with the facts, the evidence, and the truth," he said.
Remulla is a former long-time Cavite congressman. 

Related Tags

OMBUDSMAN Boying Remulla Martin Romualdez flood control projects Maleta Boys
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