Rep. Martin Romualdez seeks dismissal of flood control complaints

Former House Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez has urged the Office of the Ombudsman to dismiss the plunder, graft, and other criminal complaints against him regarding his alleged involvement in the flood control controversy, arguing that the primary allegations have collapsed following key witness recantations.

In a supplemental counter-affidavit, Romualdez highlighted the retraction of former Marine Orly Guteza. Testifying earlier before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Guteza had claimed to have delivered suitcases of kickback money to the residences of Romualdez and former House Appropriations Committee Chairman Zaldy Co. Guteza later formally withdrew those claims, stating he had made the accusations out of fear.

Romualdez noted that three other individuals who previously accused him have also since recanted their statements. He argued that removing the alleged cash-delivery connection leaves the prosecution's case without standing, reinforcing the evidentiary gaps raised in his initial August 7 counter-affidavit.

"No contractor states that he paid me; no DPWH official states that I demanded or received a kickback; no identified project is traced to an unlawful payment to me; no financial record traces unlawful proceeds into my assets; and no competent witness establishes my knowing receipt of the alleged cash," Romualdez said.

As part of his supplemental filing, Romualdez submitted affidavits from 25 current and former employees of Co, all denying that Romualdez received suitcase deliveries of illicit funds. Furthermore, at least three of these affiants alleged that attorney Levi Baligod—counsel for the original group of former bodyguards—offered them financial incentives to join a cohort dubbed the "18 Marines."

"For these reasons and in support of my counter-affidavit, I submit the instant supplemental counter-affidavit and the affidavits of denial and non-participation, and the Guteza Recantation Salaysay for the due consideration and appreciation of this Honorable Office," Romualdez added.

Abe Fajardo, spokesperson and legal counsel for Romualdez, stated that glaring inconsistencies in witness testimony, paired with a complete absence of forensic or documentary evidence, demonstrate that no solid proof links the former Speaker to any corruption scheme.

The legal battle stems from a joint affidavit filed with the Ombudsman by Baligod on behalf of 18 men. The complaint alleges that between 2022 and 2025, the group transported billions of pesos in kickbacks derived from anomalous flood control projects to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Romualdez, and several other high-ranking government officials.