Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s legal team says the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s move to elevate his case to the Ombudsman—while making no declaration of wrongdoing—reflects the body’s even-handed approach to the ongoing flood control controversy.
The statement came from lawyer Ade Fajardo through a video message released to reporters on Monday, shortly after their camp received a copy of the commission’s Nov. 21 referral. The transmittal forwarded Romualdez’s sworn affidavit, transcripts, and supporting documents stemming from his voluntary appearance before the ICI on Oct. 14.
Although the referral seeks a deeper examination of Romualdez’s involvement, the Commission emphasized that its action was procedural. “The Commission underscores that referring the matter at this stage is intended to permit the Honorable Office of the Ombudsman to promptly and immediately undertake its own fact-finding inquiry, consistent with established principles of coordination and to avoid duplicative or fragmented investigations,” the document states.
The ICI also noted that the Ombudsman is “better equipped to determine whether the circumstances thus far disclosed warrant administrative or criminal accountability under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards, and other applicable laws.” It added that any further material gathered during its ongoing review would be forwarded as well.
Fajardo, responding to the referral, said: “We acknowledge the Referral submitted by the ICI to the Office of the Ombudsman on Nov. 21 and welcome the Commission’s completion of its fact-gathering mandate. We respect the ICI’s commitment to transmit all gathered evidence to the Office of the Ombudsman for further evaluation.”
He underscored the commission’s own clarification about the absence of any judgment against the former Speaker. “Importantly, the ICI explicitly states that the referral is issued without any finding or conclusion of guilt or liability on the part of former Speaker Romualdez,” he said. According to him, “This clear statement strengthens our confidence in the Commission’s impartiality and underscores the constitutional role of the Ombudsman as the sole authority empowered to determine accountability.”
Fajardo added that their camp expects an evidence-based review from the Ombudsman, noting: “We trust that the Ombudsman will conduct an independent, thorough, and objective review of the evidence submitted. From the outset, we have consistently maintained that a fair and complete assessment of the record will reflect the truth.”
The Nov. 21 referral from both the Department of Public Works and Highways and the ICI recommended that the Ombudsman investigate Romualdez, Elizaldy Co, the Sunwest Inc. and Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp. boards, and other potentially involved individuals for possible violations including plunder, graft, corrupt practices, and direct bribery. It stressed that all findings remained preliminary and did not preclude future developments.
President Marcos announced the recommendations ahead of the referral’s submission. “And so now, I want to inform our countrymen that all the information gathered by the ICI and the DPWH will be referred and turned over to the Ombudsman for investigation,” he said in a video message. “We are confident that the Ombudsman simply follows the evidence, and wherever the evidence leads, that is where our investigation will go.”
