Ombudsman orders Martin Romualdez to answer plunder, graft complaints

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered Leyte Representative and former Speaker Martin Romualdez to answer the plunder, graft, and direct bribery complaints lodged against him, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Tuesday.

"I can confirm that an order to file counter-affidavit has been issued by the preliminary investigation team to former Speaker of the House, Martin Romualdez, as well as the rest of the respondents," Clavano said in a statement without mentioning when the order to file answer was issued.

Clavano's announcement came less than a day after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., Romualdez's cousin, announced that the Ombudsman is about to file multiple criminal cases against the former Speaker over his alleged involvement in the flood control mess.

"The order states that they have 15 days upon receipt to submit the counter-affidavit. When all parties have submitted, the case will be submitted for resolution," he added.

Aside from Romualdez, other respondents in the complaint include:

• lawyer Jose Paras
• Jocelyn Sereno
• Hermogene Real
• D.S Tantuico and Associates
• Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation through its Board of Directors Luisita Chan, Felicito Guevarra, Yolanda Crudo, Gil Panganiban, Jr., Diosa Mira Chan and other John and Jane Does.

Romualdez, a lawyer, has been firm that he can prove his innocence over the allegations leveled against him.

“Masakit man ito sa aming pamilya, iginagalang ko ang naging pahayag ng Pangulo. Hindi ako kailanman humingi ng pabor o espesyal na pagtrato. Sang-ayon ako na gawin natin ang tama,” he said in a statement.

(This is hurtful for our family, and I respect the President’s statements. I never asked for a favor or special treatment. I agree that we should do what is right.)

“Ang tama ay ang sumunod sa proseso at hayaan ang ebidensya ang magsalita. Naninindigan akong wala akong ginawang anumang labag sa batas. At handa akong patunayan ito,” Romualdez added.

(The right thing to do is to follow due process and let the evidence speak. I maintain that I never committed any criminal act, and I am ready to prove this.) —AOL, GMA News