Romualdez on alleged plunder, graft: My conscience remains clear

Leyte Representative and former Speaker and  Martin Romualdez maintained innocence in response to the allegations of his involvement in the kickback scheme off flood control projects. 

"My conscience remains clear," Romualdez said in a statement read by lawyer Ade Fajardo. 

The Department of Public Works and Highways and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure earlier in the day recommended the filing of plunder, graft and bribery charges against Romualdez and former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co over P100 billion worth of government flood contracts that Co-linked firms won from 2016 to 2025.

"Throughout all these proceedings, no sort of credible evidence ever linked me to any irregularity," Romualdez added.

The lawmaker also said he has faith Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla will be impartial in judging the allegations against him.

“It is now with the Ombudsman. I trust in the Ombudsman's impartial and thorough review and evaluation. I do so with confidence that a fair and complete assessment of the record will reflect the truth,” Romualdez said.

Remulla earlier said that Romualdez had called him once to defend himself over the flood control allegations.

“I answered his call once because we respect each other. That was before I assumed office, but after I was appointed…I didn’t talk to him anymore. Because I have to think clearly about these cases,” Remulla said.

Orly Guteza, who identified himself as a former security consultant for resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, earlier told a Senate inquiry that he personally delivered luggage of money to the residences of Co and Romualdez.

Senate blue ribbon panel chairperson Panfilo Lacson, however, later revealed that the Manila Regional Trial Court found that the signature on the affidavit of Guteza was not that of the lawyer whose name appeared on the document. —AOL, GMA Integrated News