MANILA – Former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez questioned the Office of the Ombudsman’s continued use of witnesses who are now facing cyber libel and perjury charges in connection with the ongoing preliminary investigation into the alleged flood control controversy.

In a statement sent to the media, Romualdez said he was seeking equal treatment under the law as the investigation proceeds.

“Pantay na hustisya lamang ang hinihingi ko (Fair justice is all I ask),” Romualdez said.

He questioned why witnesses whom he said had already been publicly discredited and were now facing criminal charges were still being used in the case against him.

“But the Ombudsman is using witnesses he himself and now the DOJ (Department of Justice) have already publicly discredited – and who are now facing cyberlibel and perjury charges,” he said.

Romualdez added that the same individuals had already been rejected and subsequently charged, yet their statements continued to be considered in the investigation.

“Mga testigong ibinasura na, kinasuhan pa ng cyberlibel at perjury — gagamitin pa rin para lang ituro ako at ako lamang (These witnesses were already rejected and charged with cyberlibel and perjury – yet still being used to pinpoint me and me alone),” he said.

He was referring to the 18 former bodyguards of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co and their lawyer, Levito Baligod.

Earlier this week, the Department of Justice said criminal informations for perjury and cyber libel had been filed against the group before four Regional Trial Courts in Metro Manila.

According to the DOJ, the charges stemmed from complaints involving the execution and dissemination of a joint sworn statement, as well as related press conferences, interviews, social media posts, and other online publications.

Despite his objections, Romualdez said he would continue to participate in the proceedings.

“Hindi ako uurong sa laban na ito. Hindi ako matitinag. Gawin natin ang tama (I will not back out from this fight. I will not be moved. Let’s do the right thing),” he said./PNA