Former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez is prepared to answer the complaint being investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman once it is formally served, according to his legal team.
In a statement, Romualdez’s spokesperson, lawyer Elaine Atienza, said the Ombudsman’s announcement pertains only to a preliminary investigation and should not be interpreted as a finding of liability against the former Speaker.
Atienza emphasized that Romualdez has not been convicted of any offense, no criminal case has been filed against him before the Sandiganbayan, and he has yet to be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations.
She added that the constitutional presumption of innocence remains in effect while the preliminary investigation is ongoing and before the respondents are able to present their side.
According to Atienza, Romualdez’s camp has not yet received a copy of the complaint. She said they will submit a complete response once they are formally furnished with the documents.
The lawyer also said Romualdez has never attempted to evade the legal process and will remain in the Philippines to address the allegations and clear his name once the evidence is examined through the proper legal proceedings.
She stressed that legal cases should be decided based on evidence rather than public accusations or speculation.
Atienza reiterated that the appropriate venue for resolving the matter is the legal process established under Philippine law, where both parties are given the opportunity to present their respective evidence.
The Office of the Ombudsman earlier announced that it had initiated a preliminary investigation. As of now, no criminal case has been filed in court, and the respondents have yet to formally submit their answers to the allegations.
Romualdez’s camp maintained that it will fully cooperate once the complaint is officially served and the legal process moves forward.
