Former Speaker ready to face any Ombudsman complaint; lawyer said no evidence against Romualdez

FORMER Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez is ready to face any complaint the Office of the Ombudsman may file against him in connection with the flood control scam, his legal counsel, Ade Fajardo, said Sunday.

Fajardo said that there is no evidence against his client.

“Nakahanda si former Speaker Romualdez na harapin ang proseso. Pero talagang walang patunay o ebidensiya sa kanya tungkol sa flood-control anomalies. Wala pa pong preliminary investigation, nasa case build-up status po now,” Fajardo said.

He said the former House leader had no participation in flood control project funding and implementation.

“Napakasimple lang actually. Kasi kung wala ka namang participation, talagang maa-anticipate mo na wala namang ebidensya,” he said.

Fajardo also said the changing testimonies of the so-called bodyguards are not credible.

“Papaano mo naman aasahan at paniniwalaan ang kanilang salaysay na pabago-bago at paiba-iba. Kargado pa ng incredible statements,” he said.

The Romualdez counsel pointed out that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) had found no liability on the part of the former Speaker.

“Kung ating babalikan, mismong ICI ang naglabas sa kanilang imbestigasyon na wala silang mahanap na liability. Ganyan po ang expressed findings ng ICI nang dalhin ang records sa Office of the Ombudsman,” he said.

He reiterated that his principal is ready to answer the allegations once formally required by the Ombudsman.

“Hindi po tumatakas sa kanyang pananagutan si dating Speaker na harapin ang lahat ng ito.
Boluntaryo siyang bumaba bilang Speaker para bigyang-daan ang imbestigasyon,” he stressed.

Fajardo said Romualdez has remained in the country and continues to do his job as Leyte 1st district representative.

“Nandito po siya. Siya po ay abala bilang kinatawan ng Leyte at, siyempre, hindi siya tumatakas. Willing siya to face everything kung meron mang sinasabing ebidensya,” he said.

He said Romualdez would comply with the processes of the Office of the Ombudsman.

However, he pointed out there has been no preliminary investigation yet.

“Inaamin ng ginagalang nating Ombudsman na hanggang ngayon, wala pa ring preliminary investigation. At hindi pa siya nasu-subpoena ng Office of the Ombudsman,” Fajardo emphasized.

He said his client should be given the opportunity to formally answer any complaint against him.

“Kami po ay nababahala dito dahil ang dating Speaker ay kailangang bigyan ng pagkakataon na sumagot formally sa mga paratang na ito bago magkaroon ng conclusion,” he said. (END)