MANILA, Philippines — Following the arrest of former Speaker Martin Romualdez, it is now time to let the trial proceed and let the evidence speak on the flood control scandal, Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said Monday evening.
Lacson said the arrest of Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., should silence critics who have accused the Chief Executive of weak leadership and lack of resolve.
"With the arrest of his cousin, former Speaker Romualdez, the President’s critics who have accused him of weak leadership and a lack of resolve in confronting the flood-control mess should now be silenced by his action," Lacson said on social media post.
"The Ombudsman likewise deserves all the praise and support from the Filipino people," he added. "Let the trial proceed and let the evidence speak. Most importantly, the former Speaker is now given his day in court."
Lacson earlier issued invitations to Romualdez to attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings on the flood control scandal, but Romualdez did not appear.
Authorities on Monday evening served Romualdez with an arrest warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan.
Romualdez, who is confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, was read the warrant and his rights and underwent the booking procedure, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.
Remulla added police have secured Romualdez, who was taken to the hospital Monday afternoon.
He said Romualdez is now considered a person deprived of liberty.
