Martin Romualdez denies hand in ex-bodyguards' recantation; Remulla eyes raps

Asserting that he is not being given a fair shake, former Speaker and incumbent Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez on Friday denied Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla's allegations that he is behind the recantation of ex-bodyguards who linked him to the flood control corruption scandal.

"The Ombudsman's accusation that I am behind the recantations of the former Marines is absolutely not true. This shows how extremely prejudiced he is against me," Romualdez said in a statement.

Romualdez is under investigation by the Ombudsman over alleged plunder, graft and direct bribery for accepting deliveries of money from ex-bodyguards, supposedly sourced form public funds.

"The recantations prove what I had been saying all along that the accusations against me are false and trumped up. Hindi ganito ang patas na paghahanap ng katotohanan (This is not a fair process in finding out the truth)," Romualdez said.

Romualdez said he will prove his accusers wrong.

"I will not be intimidated. I will face every accusation against me, defend myself with the facts, the evidence, and the truth," Romualdez added.

In a press conference, Remulla said three former bodyguards who recanted their affidavit implicating Romualdez will face consequences, along with other individuals behind the move.

"Recantation is frowned upon by the courts. That is the way that the courts are supposed to take recantations, especially on these people who issued testimonies against Romualdez twice. We'll bring them up as hostile witnesses and they will be charged as part of the accused," Remulla said.

"That's natural. They were not charged because they are testifying. If they are not testifying, they will be charged. Accessory after the fact. Pinagtatakpan nila (They are covering up)," Remulla added. — VDV, GMA News