Romualdez lawyer questions Ombudsman’s fixation on client

MANILA, Philippines — The lawyer of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has lashed out against the Office of the Ombudsman anew, questioning why the constitutional body appears to be fixated on his client when there is supposedly no evidence against him.

In a statement on Wednesday, Romualdez’s lawyer and spokesperson Ade Fajardo said he cannot understand why the Office of the Ombudsman is still bent on building a case against him when several individuals have already recanted their testimonies already or denied the claims of other witnesses.

“We cannot understand why they have been giving that much attention, why they have been singling out Rep. Romualdez when there’s no credible evidence against him,” he said.

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READ: No reason to charge Romualdez without credible witness — lawyer 

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Romualdez has been accused of facilitating budget insertions to implement anomalous infrastructure programs and receiving kickbacks from these projects. However, the lawmaker and his legal team have insisted that he is not involved in any wrongdoing, saying several times that as speaker, he does not have control over every step of the budget-making process in Congress.

“All of the high-ranking officials of the government were gone when the Maleta boys recanted their statements and others stated that they have no knowledge of the said deliveries, they were removed from the list and absolved.  But the Ombudsman maintained the case against our client, making it seem that he is being singled out,” he said.

“That’s why we are confused why they are treating the former speaker this way. They seem to be making this too personal,” he added.

Fajardo did not mention who was the official who are the other officials that have been away from the spotlight or were absolved, but on Tuesday, several sources said that the Sandiganbayan had dropped plunder and graft charges against former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan — a co-accused in infrastructure scandal-related cases.

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READ: Sandiganbayan drops plunder, graft raps vs Bonoan 

Other individuals supposedly behind the testimonies of 18 former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, along with Orly Guteza, have been arrested on other charges.

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However, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, the person alluded to by Guteza as behind his statements pinning down Romualdez, said it was “improbable” for him and former lawmaker Mike Defensor to conspire with the former Co bodyguard.

READ: Marcoleta: Improbable for me, Defensor to conspire with Guteza 

Fajardo has called out the Office of the Ombudsman several times in the past few days — saying last Aug. 27 that there is no reason to charge Romualdez if the Office of the Ombudsman no longer has any credible witness at hand.

Fajardo was referring to the recantations of Guteza, some of the 18 former Co bodyguards, and the testimony of 25 other drivers and security aides of Co and his family who have made testimonies that favor Romualdez’ case.

Fajardo said back then that even Bonoan supposedly did not link Romualdez to the flood control scam and alleged delivery of money in suitcases.

Then on Tuesday, Fajardo claimed that the Office of the Ombudsman is merely trying to keep its case against Romualdez alive by issuing statements.

Fajardo said that they disagree with Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano’s statements that the witnesses’ recantation can be considered additional evidence as they can be put next to each other to determine which is true.

What must be done, Fajardo stressed, is that comparisons between initial statements and recantations, as well as additional testimonies, should cure issues.

READ: Romualdez camp: Ombudsman trying to keep case alive with statements 

Earlier, Palace press officer Claire Castro said that while Romualdez’s camp is free to voice out opinions, the administration has just been following rules regarding due process and evidence.

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Malacañang’s statements echo the speech of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his fifth State of the Nation Address last July 27, as he said that while it is painful to see cases submitted against Romualdez, his cousin, it is the right thing to do. /das