MANILA — Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said he respects President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s remarks regarding the expected filing of cases against him, while maintaining that he did not seek special treatment and is prepared to defend himself through the legal process.

Romualdez issued the statement shortly after the President’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), where Marcos disclosed that the Office of the Ombudsman was nearing the filing of multiple cases against “the former Speaker” in connection with the government’s investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

“Masakit man ito sa aming pamilya, iginagalang ko ang naging pahayag ng Pangulo. Hindi ako kailanman humingi ng pabor o espesyal na pagtrato. Sang-ayon ako na gawin natin ang tama,” Romualdez said.

The former House Speaker also denied committing any illegal act and said he would allow the legal process to take its course.

“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 added.

During his SONA, Marcos said the government’s crackdown on alleged corruption in flood control projects had already resulted in charges and the detention of contractors, senior Department of Public Works and Highways officials, and lawmakers.

The President said the Ombudsman was also preparing to file multiple cases against the former Speaker.

“Mayroon nang mga unang nakasuhan at nakulong: mga kontratista; matataas na opisyal ng DPWH; pati na ang mga mambabatas. Dumating na tayo sa puntong, ayon sa Ombudsman, ay malapit na ang paghahain ng patong-patong na kaso laban sa dating Speaker. Masakit sa akin ito, pero kailangan natin itong gawin. Hindi ako ang Pangulo ng aking pamilya,” Marcos said.

He added that his duty is to the Filipino people rather than to his relatives or friends.

“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,” the President said.

Earlier, the Office of the Ombudsman announced it was preparing to file plunder and Anti-Money Laundering Act complaints against Romualdez over the alleged flood control corruption scheme.

Romualdez has consistently denied the allegations and maintained that no evidence links him to any wrongdoing.