Martin Romualdez questions Ombudsman's fairness, cites 'discredited' witnesses

Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Friday questioned the fairness of the Office of the Ombudsman's investigation into him, claiming the anti-graft body was relying on witnesses whom authorities had already discredited.

In a statement, Romualdez said he was only asking for equal treatment under the law, arguing that the Ombudsman was giving weight to the testimonies of individuals whom it and the Department of Justice (DOJ) had allegedly already found lacking in credibility.

"Pantay na hustisya lamang ang hinihingi ko. But the Ombudsman is using witnesses he himself and now the DOJ have already publicly discredited," Romualdez, a lawyer, said.

Without identifying anyone by name, Romualdez referred to individuals facing cyberlibel and perjury charges.

The 18 former bodyguards of former House appropriations committee chair and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co are currently facing cyberlibel and perjury complaints.

"Ito ba ang patas na imbestigasyon? Mga testigong ibinasura na, kinasuhan pa ng cyberlibel at perjury — gagamitin pa rin para lang ituro ako at ako lamang," he added.

Romualdez said he remains unfazed by the Ombudsman's actions.

"Hindi ako uurong sa laban na ito. Hindi ako matitinag. Gawin natin ang tama," he said.

In response, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said that the Ombudsman ensures that their witnesses and accompanying documentary evidence are credible and airtight.

“The joint affidavit of the 18 ex-bodyguards is indeed riddled with credibility issues because there is no way 18 people can tell the exact same story with the exact same details in a singular document. It fails even an initial evaluation. However, when they executed the individual affidavits, our investigators determined that the details were clear and consistent insofar as the cash deliveries of Zaldy to Martin are concerned,” Clavano said in a separate statement.

He said that Ombudsman investigators have obtained independent supporting evidence to back up the statements of the 18 ex-bodyguards.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said that his office has asked Romualdez to file a counter-affidavit on the pending plunder, money laundering and direct bribery complaints lodged against him.

Clavano said all parties are expected to submit their counter-affidavits very soon.

“The panel of prosecutors evaluating the case is now entrusted with the task of reconciling the allegations with the defense to see whether or not the case should be filed in court,” Clavano said.—LDF, GMA News