Romualdez confident Ombudsman will file cases on merit

The camp of former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Monday maintained his innocence over his alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects, saying he is confident that the Ombudsman will file cases based on merit, not politics. 

Romualdez's camp issued the statement following Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla's announcement that prosecutors are preparing to file a plunder case against the former Speaker. 

"We want to emphasize that, to date, there is no evidence linking Rep. Romualdez to any ghost and substandard projects pertaining to the flood control issue," Atty. Ade Fajardo, counsel for Romualdez, said. 

"We remain confident that these matters will be resolved based on evidence and due process—not politics or speculation," Fajardo added. 

The lawyer also said Remulla's announcement only refers to a reported preparation of a complaint.

"There is no filed case, no finding of probable cause, and no determination of liability at this time," he said.

"We trust that the Ombudsman will fully adhere to the circular that he instituted and signed as then Secretary of the Department of Justice, that DOJ prosecutors should only pursue cases with reasonable certainty of conviction," he added. 

Fajardo, however, assured that Romualdez "respects the processes of the Office of the Ombudsman and will fully cooperate if and when a formal proceeding is initiated." —LDF, GMA News