Romualdez on cases cited at SONA: Painful, but right thing must be done

MANILA, Philippines — Former House speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said he never asked for favors or special treatment from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who opened his fifth State of the Nation Address by saying cases were close to being filed.

Marcos did not name Romualdez in his speech Monday, July 27, but referred to the Ombudsman’s expected filing of multiple cases against "the former speaker."

"Dumating na tayo sa punto na ayon sa Ombudsman, ay malapit na ang paghain ng patong-patong na kaso laban sa dating speaker. Masakit man sa akin ito, ngunit kailangan nating gawin ang tama," Marcos said.

("We have reached the point where, according to the Ombudsman, the filing of multiple cases against the former speaker is near. This is painful for me, but we must do what is right.")

"Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya, hindi ako pangulo ng aking kaibigan. Ako ay pangulo ng Pilipinas, at ang tungkulin ko ay sa inyo, ang aking kapwa Pilipino," he added.

("I am not the president of my family. I am not the president of my friends. I am the president of the Philippines, and my duty is to you, my fellow Filipinos.")

Romualdez, Marcos’ first cousin, issued a statement shortly after the SONA ended, saying he respected the president’s remarks.

"Masakit man ito sa aming pamilya, iginagalang ko ang naging pahayag ng Pangulo. Hindi ako kailanman humingi ng pabor o espesyal na pagtrato," Romualdez said.

("Painful as this is for our family, I respect the president’s statement. I have never asked for favors or special treatment.")

Romualdez also said he agreed with Marcos that the right thing must be done, but denied wrongdoing.

"Sang-ayon ako na gawin natin ang tama. Ang tama ay ang sumunod sa proseso at hayaan ang ebidensya ang magsalita. Naninindigan akong wala akong ginawang anumang labag sa batas. At handa akong patunayan ito," he said.

("I agree that we should do what is right. What is right is to follow the process and let the evidence speak. I maintain that I have not done anything against the law, and I am ready to prove this.")

Ombudsman probe. On July 20, the Ombudsman said it was set to file complaints of plunder and violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act against Romualdez in connection with the flood control corruption scandal.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano described Romualdez as "the central figure in a scheme built on the diversion of public funds meant for flood control projects."

Romualdez was first publicly linked to the issue in 2025 alongside resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. Contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya also mentioned Romualdez during a Senate probe into the alleged flood control kickback scheme.

Romualdez has consistently denied the allegations.

His camp earlier said there was no evidence linking him to any anomaly and that he was prepared to face the legal process if charges were filed.

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