Romualdez asks Ombudsman to halt probe against him over 'prejudgment'

Former Speaker and Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has asked the Ombudsman to stop its investigation against him over alleged violation of due process, arguing that he was already prejudged in the matter. 

Romualdez, through his lawyers' letter to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, cited that the Ombudsman and Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano already tagged him a master plunderer in connection with alleged anomalous flood control projects when there is no criminal case filed against him yet. 

"Given the public statements made by the Honorable Ombudsman and Assistant Ombudsman Clavano, there is a reasonable certainty that any fact-finding investigation will be a mere formality, regardless of the actual evidence or the lack thereof. It is readily apparent that the Honorable Ombudsman had already made its determination to prosecute Rep. Romualdez for plunder, and any investigation to be conducted would be a mere fishing expedition to support a foregone conclusion," Romualdez's lawyers said. 

"The Honorable Ombudsman's public statements make it practically impossible for subordinate officials not to conform to the official position already taken by the Ombudsman. Under these circumstances, the investigation would be a sham and violative of due process. In light of the above, we respectfully request that the Honorable Office inhibit itself from conducting any preliminary investigation that may be commenced by the filing of a complaint against Rep. Romualdez," they added.

Further, the camp of the former Speaker said the investigation against him over alleged plunder, money laundering, bribery, among others, should be referred to an independent and impartial body or officer "who can conduct the proceedings free from any cloud of bias or prejudgment."

"This request is made not as a challenge to integrity, but in recognition of the high standards to which the Office of the Ombudsman is rightly held, to shield its proceedings from unnecessary questions regarding objectivity or fairness, and to safeguard our client's constitutional right to due process," his lawyers said. 

Earlier, Romualdez's camp said it would question the issuance of a hold departure order against him over charges in relation to the flood control controversy.

Remulla recently said he denied Romualdez's request to travel to Singapore on April 21 for a medical check-up. — VDV, GMA News