Ombudsman 'very close' to finishing fact-finding vs. Romualdez —Remulla

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said his office is very close to finishing its fact-finding investigation against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez over the flood control controversy.

“We’re very close to filing the plunder charges. But we still have to cross the Ts and dot some Is and probably two periods and sentences. ‘Yun na lang, ganoon kalapit na ‘yan (it’s that close),” he said in a press briefing.

Remulla later affirmed that he was referring to the “fact-finding” and that they would proceed to the preliminary investigation stage.

According to the Ombudsman, the case is “about ready for preliminary investigation.”

“Kailangan kasi kapag tiningnan ‘yung kasong fina-file mo, isang buo siyang kapanipaniwala at madaling makapa. Kasi, baka mamaya kung saan-saan nanggagaling ‘yung idea mo, hindi maganda ang pagkakagawa, siyempre ma-su-suffer ang kaso,” Remulla said.

(When the case you are filing is examined, it has to be coherent, credible, and easy to follow. Because if your ideas are coming from all over the place and the case is poorly put together, then of course the case will suffer.)

In June, the Ombudsman defended its plan to tap former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan as a state witness, saying his testimony could help build a stronger case against Romualdez.

When asked if the case against Romualdez will still stand without Bonoan, Remulla said that the case is not that simple.

“You’re talking about layers and layers of lawyers. People who will defend and go to any extent to defend their client. So hindi ganoon kadali. But we’re managing to thread the needle, so to speak,” he said.—LDF, GMA News