Ombudsman to start preliminary investigation for alleged plunder, money laundering vs Martin Romualdez

The Office of the Ombudsman announced Monday that it is set to file preliminary investigation for plunder and the violation of Anti-Money Laundering Act complaints against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez as a result of its fact-fiding probe on his alleged involvement in the flood control anomalies.

“After a thorough and painstaking investigation, the Office of the Ombudsman is set to file two separate complaints for preliminary investigation against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Mr. Elizady Co, and several others,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said in a press briefing.

Clavano said their initial investigation has identified the former speaker as the "central figure" of the flood control anomalies.

“Our investigation identified former Speaker Romualdez as the central figure in a scheme built in the diversion of public funds meant to build flood control projects,” Clavano said.

The filing for preliminary investigation does not equate to conviction, rather it is a determination that substantial evidence has been gathered to warrant a full and formal inquiry, according to Clavano.

He declined to give a timeline but cited that new rules provide 60 days for preliminary investigation.

An order to file a counter-affidavit for Romualdez and his co-respondents is expected to be issued “sometime this week," according to the official. He did not divulge the names of the other respondents but mentioned that they are "more than 10."

Evidence

The complaints, according to Clavano, were kickstarted by testimonies of the eight ex-bodyguards who identified themselves of former House representative Zaldy Co. They claimed they allegedly delivered money to several public officials, including Romualdez.

“At the core of this case is the testimony this office does not take lightly—sworn statements from eight individuals who formerly served Mr. Co’s own security personnel,” Clavano said.

“That testimony does not stand alone. It is corroborated by an independent evidentiary trail from money exchange companies, to bank transfers, to shell companies, all using personalities tied to the former Speaker Martin Romualdez,” he added.

Clavano emphasized that although the investigation started with the testimonies of the eight bodyguards, their statements led to further evidence that ensures the case will stand even if they recant.

“So much so na kahit bumaliktad na ang ating ex-bodyguards or ex-security personnel tatayo parin yung information na ibinigay nila sa atin dahil sa mga iba’t ibang ebidensya, records, testimonya ng ibang tao,” Clavano said.

(“So much so that even if our ex-bodyguards or ex-security personnel reverse themselves, the information they gave us will still stand because of various other pieces of evidence, records, and testimonies from other people.)

“We are doubly confident now in this case kasi kahit wala na po sila… we have become more confident in the case that we have brought up now to the preliminary stage,” he added.

On Friday, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said his office was very close to finishing its fact-finding investigation against Romualdez and his alleged involvement in the flood control anomalies.

Remulla previously mentioned that his office is looking into what had transpired in the small committee, the alleged unofficial committee with select congressmen where alleged budget insertions were made in the 2025 national budget after having it approved in the bicameral conference committee. —RF, GMA News