Ombudsman orders Romualdez to answer raps
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered former speaker Martin Romualdez to answer within 15 days allegations of his involvement in the flood control scandal.
The ombudsman announced the development yesterday, a day after President Marcos declared in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that blood ties or friendship won’t stop him from holding accountable anyone found involved in corruption.
In his SONA, Marcos revealed that criminal charges were being readied against the former speaker, his first cousin.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano confirmed the issuance of the order by a preliminary investigation team. “The order states that they have 15 days upon receipt to submit the counter-affidavit,” Clavano said, referring to Romualdez and co-respondents.
The case will immediately be submitted for resolution once all parties have submitted their affidavits, he said.
The ombudsman emphasized it is “free to carry out its constitutional mandate” and lauded the Marcos administration’s hands-off position on the controversy involving the Leyte representative and former speaker.
“The Office of the Ombudsman acknowledges the President’s report to the nation on the flood control investigations,” the ombudsman stated.
“We are likewise grateful that this office has been left free to carry out its constitutional mandate and to follow the evidence wherever it leads, including to those closest to the President himself,” it added.
The ombudsman emphasized that exacting justice should be insulated from political interference.
“This is how accountability is meant to function: no favor asked, none given,” the ombudsman statement read.
“The Office of the Ombudsman will press forward steadily, fairly and without fear or favor, for as long as the evidence and the law will allow,” it added.
Meanwhile, Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. James Ang Jr. has posted a P90,000 bail for one of his graft cases before the Sandiganbayan to secure his temporary liberty following his indictment.
The anti-graft court’s Third Division confirmed that the lawmaker personally appeared at the Office of the Clerk of Court on Monday to post bail.
The charges stem from 14 counts of graft filed by the Office of the Ombudsman, accusing him of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
- Latest
- Trending