ICI: No conclusion of guilt vs. Romualdez, Ombudsman investigation urged

The referral to the Ombudsman by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) regarding Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez was for further investigation, and was "issued without any finding or conclusion of guilt or liability on the part of former Speaker Romualdez.”

According to the two-page referral received by the Ombudsman on Friday, the ICI said the transmittal was "made without prejudice to the Commission to accept or receive additional evidence, if any, concerning former Speaker Romualdez."

"This Referral is issued without any finding or conclusion of guilt or liability on the part of Former Speaker Romualdez," read the copy of the document the ICI released on Monday.

The ICI said the transmittal was "solely to ensure that all acts, omissions, and surrounding circumstances properly falling within the Ombudsman's constitutional and statutory authority–particularly those involving high-ranking officials–are subjected to the processes under Article XI, Section 13 of the Constitution and Republic Act No. 6770."

"The Commission underscores that referring the matter at this stage is intended to permit the Honorable Office of the Ombudsman to promptly and immediately undertake its own fact-finding inquiry, consistent with established principles of coordination and to avoid duplicative or fragmented investigations," the ICI said.

It said the Ombudsman was better equipped to determine whether the circumstances warranted criminal or administrative accountability under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards, "as the constitutionally designated disciplinary authority over public officials."

It was reported on Friday that the ICI and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) already recommended the filing of plunder, graft, and bribery charges against Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.

ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka said there were two referrals.

“Dalawa 'yun. Yung isa sa DPWH. It was joint in the sense that we submitted together. Kasi 'yung isa naman, referral namin, is when we submitted evidence and documents pertaining to that referral of the DPWH to help the Ombudsman further investigate the matter,” Hosaka told reporters.

(There were two referrals. One was from the DPWH. It was joint in the sense that we submitted together. The other referral, from the ICI, was when we submitted evidence and documents pertaining to that DPWH referral to help the Ombudsman further investigate.)

“So 'yun 'yung naging joint submission, as far as the DPWH and ICI [are] concerned,” he added.

(So that became the joint submission, as far as the DPWH and the ICI are concerned.)

Both Romualdez and Co have denied the allegations against them.

Co has left the country and was reportedly last spotted in Japan. –NB, GMA Integrated News