Rep. Romualdez questions Ombudsman's use of 'discredited' witnesses in probe

Former House Speaker and Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Friday questioned the fairness of the Office of the Ombudsman's investigation into his alleged involvement in infrastructure-related anomalies, criticizing its alleged reliance on witnesses he claims have already been debunked.

In a statement, Romualdez raised doubts about the credibility of individuals reportedly being tapped for the probe, noting that both the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ) had previously rejected their claims.

He added that several of these witnesses are currently facing cyber libel and perjury charges.

“I am just looking for fairness in the pursuit of justice,” Romualdez said. “But the Ombudsman is using witnesses who have already been publicly discredited—and who are now facing cyber libel and perjury charges.”

He questioned whether an investigation built on such testimony could ever be impartial.

“Is this a fair investigation?” he asked. “You have witnesses whose credibility was junked, even sued for cyber libel and perjury—yet they are being used just to pin me down.”

The Leyte lawmaker is under investigation over his alleged role in infrastructure corruption and reported budget insertions in the 2025 national budget, which allegedly funded anomalous flood control projects. Romualdez has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that he exercised no functional control over the budget process.

Asserting that he will not be intimidated by the proceedings, Romualdez vowed to defend himself and clear his name.

“I will not back down from this fight. I will not be intimidated. Let us do the right thing,” he added.

Romualdez did not name the specific witnesses or provide further details regarding the individuals he claimed were previously discredited.

-Paraluman News