Former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez denied any involvement in the alleged anomalous flood control projects in the country, saying there is no evidence linking him to the funding or implementation of the projects.
In a statement released through his spokesperson, lawyer Elaine Atienza, Romualdez maintained that no current or former official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has identified him as having participated in the planning, implementation or release of funds for the alleged ghost flood control projects.
Atienza said previous congressional hearings and investigations conducted by government agencies did not produce testimony implicating Romualdez in the alleged irregularities.
She also said former DPWH Secretary Manny Bonoan had never identified Romualdez as being involved in the alleged funding or implementation of the flood control projects.
According to Atienza, the allegations against Romualdez contradict the established process for approving the national budget, stressing that no single individual has control over the entire budgeting process.
She further argued that the Speaker of the House has no authority to direct the DPWH secretary or the Senate, questioning claims that Romualdez could have served as the alleged mastermind of the reported flood control scandal.
Atienza said those responsible for any irregularities should be held accountable. However, she added that authorities should not resort to naming prominent personalities as political scapegoats without substantial evidence linking them to the alleged offenses.
Her statement came after earlier proposals to make Bonoan a state witness, with supporters of the move saying his testimony could help strengthen cases against individuals allegedly involved in corruption related to flood control projects.
Romualdez, through his spokesperson, reiterated that the allegations against him remain unsupported by evidence and maintained that no testimony presented so far has directly linked him to the alleged anomalies.
