Palace respects plunder case vs. President's cousin Rep. Martin Romualdez

Malacañang on Monday said it respects the Office of the Ombudsman’s filing of a plunder case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s cousin, over alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the filing is consistent with the President’s earlier position that those who should be held accountable must face the consequences, regardless of whether they are family members or political allies.

“Ang sa Pangulo naman po ay kung sino po ang dapat na managot ay dapat na panagutin. Kung sinuman po iyan –kamag-anak, kaibigan, kaalyado o kalaban sa politika (The President’s position is that whoever should be held accountable must be held accountable, whether a relative, friend, ally, or political opponent),” Castro said in a Palace briefing.

“Kung ano po ang isinisigaw ng ebidensiya dapat lamang po itong mailahad (Whatever the evidence indicates should be brought to light).”

Castro said those facing charges would have the opportunity to present evidence in their defense.

“At iginagalang po natin ang aksiyon ng Ombudsman dahil ito naman po ay nasa kanilang mandato (We respect the Ombudsman’s action because it is within its mandate),” she said.

The Ombudsman on Monday filed a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan against Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co over alleged irregularities involving flood control projects.

Investigators accused the two of allegedly engaging in “concerted and coordinated acts” to unlawfully amass, accumulate, and acquire ill-gotten wealth amounting to around PHP56 billion from 2022 to 2025.

Marcos had earlier vowed to pursue accountability in the scandal, including against Romualdez.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address on July 27, Marcos said multiple cases against the former Speaker were nearing filing before the Ombudsman.

He described the move as “painful but necessary.”

“Masakit man sa akin ito pero kailangan nating gawin ang tama (Painful as this may be for me, we have to do what is right),” the President said, stressing that his responsibility is to the Filipino people rather than to his family or allies.

-Philippine News Agency