FORMER Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez’s camp dismissed efforts to link him to plunder and other serious offenses, stressing that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) explicitly stated that its referral to the Office of the Ombudsman was issued without any finding or conclusion of guilt or liability.
In a statement, Atty. Ade Fajardo, lawyer and spokesperson of Romualdez, said recent statements attributed to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should not be misconstrued as proof of wrongdoing.
“We take note of the DPWH Secretary’s statement. However, it is important to clarify that a DPWH ‘recommendation’ is not a finding, much less a determination of guilt,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo categorically denied reports suggesting that the ICI had recommended the filing of plunder or other serious charges against the former Speaker.
“It is not true that the ICI has recommended to the Ombudsman that former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez be charged with plunder or other serious crimes related to the flood control or 2025 budget issue,” Fajardo said.
On the contrary, he pointed out that the ICI itself underscored the absence of any adverse conclusion against Romualdez in its referral to the Office of the Ombudsman.
“In fact, the ICI made it clear in their referral report that it was ‘issued without finding or conclusion of guilt or liability on the part of former Speaker Romualdez,’” he added.
Fajardo said Romualdez respects institutional processes and is confident that the Ombudsman will assess the matter independently and fairly.
“We respect due process and will await the Ombudsman to independently evaluate the submissions based on evidence, not press conference soundbites,” he said.
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