Former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez responded to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s announcement that the Ombudsman is preparing multiple cases against him in connection with the government’s flood control investigation.
During his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said the filing of cases against the former House Speaker was nearing despite their family relationship. The President said accountability would not be affected by personal ties, adding that his duty is to the Filipino people.
Marcos said the investigation stemmed from the government’s review of thousands of flood mitigation projects following widespread flooding that exposed unfinished, substandard and allegedly “ghost” infrastructure despite billions of pesos in public spending.
The President said investigators pursued evidence “without fear or favor,” leading to criminal charges against contractors, senior Department of Public Works and Highways officials and lawmakers. He added that nearly ₱25 billion in public funds and assets had been recovered, frozen or preserved, while more than ₱800 million had already been returned to the National Treasury.
In a statement issued after the SONA, Romualdez said he respects the President’s remarks even if they are painful for their family.
“Painful as it may be for our family, I respect the President’s statement. I have never asked for favors or special treatment,” Romualdez said.
The former Speaker also expressed support for following legal procedures.
“I agree that we should do what is right. The right thing is to follow the process and let the evidence speak. I maintain that I have committed no violation of the law, and I am prepared to prove it,” he said.
Marcos said all recovered funds would be returned to the government and that prosecution would proceed before the Ombudsman and the strengthened National Prosecution Service.
