Romualdez 'not yet' included in case referrals of ICI — Marcos

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Thursday that former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has ''not yet'' been included in the case referrals made by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.

At a press briefing, Marcos, however, said that if something comes out against the former House leader,  who is his cousin, the latter needs to face and answer this. 

He said there were 37 individuals, including lawmakers, former Department of Public Works and Highways officials, and contractors, who are included in the first batch of case referrals to the Office of the Ombudsman.

''I don't think so because the only evidence made against him is in the Senate so I don't know... we... with the Speaker no, not as yet. If something else comes out, then he might be answerable for something,'' Marcos said.

''Again we don't file cases for optics. We file cases to put people in jail or to make people answer,'' he added. 

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin ''Boying'' Remulla earlier said Romualdez is also liable for, at the very least, gross negligence over the actions of former Appropriations panel chairperson and Ako Bicol party-list Zaldy Co who is facing criminal complaints over an anomalous P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

While Romualdez is not a part of the Bicameral Conference Committee that reconciles the House and Senate versions of the proposed national budget, Remulla said the former Speaker cannot be blameless over Co’s actions.

Romualdez has since denied the accusations thrown against him. 

Evidence-based

At the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union and human rights panel chairperson Benny Abante of Manila backed the President’s position that filing cases should be evidence-based.

“The President reminded everyone of a basic principle: cases must be filed on evidence, not on noise. That standard applies to all who are being mentioned in this issue and amid accusations circulating without supporting documents or testimony,” Ortega said in a statement.

“Former Speaker Romualdez has already faced the ICI under oath. He submitted documents, answered every question, and made himself fully accountable. The agencies handling the review have full access to the records, and none point to his involvement,” Ortega added.

Public service, Ortega said, also demands fairness.

“We cannot destroy a reputation based on innuendo. This is about ensuring that taxpayers’ money is protected through transparent and institutional reforms,” Ortega said.

Abante, for his part, said that ongoing investigation on the flood control mess should not be weaponized for political gain.

“Speculation is easy. Accountability requires facts. The President’s message was simple and correct: bring the evidence, and the government will act. Without it, there is no case,” Abante said in a separate statement.

“We stand behind the President’s push for transparency and stronger safeguards. Real reform happens when the work is focused on fixing the system, not on destroying individuals,” Abante added.

To recall, Orly Guteza, who identified himself as a former security consultant for Co, earlier told before a Senate inquiry that he personally delivered luggage of money to the residences of Co and Romualdez, an accusation that he stated in his affidavit also submitted to the Senate panel.

The signature of the notary public who signed the affidavit, however, turned out to be forged. — with Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA Integrated News