PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not meddle in the investigation by the Ombudsman on the alleged involvement of his cousin, former House speaker Martin Romualdez, in the flood control fund scandal.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro issued this statement amid reports that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla is moving closer to filing plunder charges against Romualdez, saying the cases are ready for preliminary investigation.
“The president will not meddle in any investigation. The president said that we will just follow where the evidence will lead, no matter who will be affected, regardless of whether they are relatives, friends or allies. No matter what the political color, the president wants those who should be held accountable to be held accountable,” Castro said in Filipino.
“But it must be legitimate evidence: not invented stories, not fabricated evidence, not concocted intrigues, not planted evidence. If there’s evidence, present them and file the case [in court] to hold accountable those involved in these [anomalies],” Castro added.
The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday said that it will file criminal charges against Romualdez and former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co.
“The Office of the Ombudsman is set to file two separate complaints for preliminary investigation against former House speaker Martin Romualdez, Mr. Elizaldy Co and several others: one for Plunder under Republic Act No. 7080, and another for violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, as amended,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said.
