MANILA—The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday filed plunder charges against former House Speaker and incumbent Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez before the Sandiganbayan over his alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano was seen at the Sandiganbayan around noon on Monday, Sept. 7, as the Ombudsman pursued the case against Romualdez.

The filing comes after the anti-graft body conducted a fact-finding investigation into allegations linking the former House leader to a kickback scheme involving flood control projects.

On July 24, the Ombudsman filed a complaint for preliminary investigation against Romualdez and former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co for plunder, direct and indirect bribery, graft, and money laundering.

The Ombudsman said at the time that it was investigating the respondents over their alleged “concerted and coordinated acts, performed in conspiracy with one another, of unlawfully amassing, accumulating, and acquiring ill-gotten wealth” from 2022 to 2025 amounting to approximately P56 billion.

Clavano had said the evidence gathered by the Ombudsman was sufficient to warrant a full inquiry into whether the case could be filed in court.

Romualdez camp seeks due process

Before the filing, Romualdez’s legal counsel and spokesperson Ade Fajardo appealed to the Ombudsman to give the former speaker an opportunity to respond to any new allegations against him.

Fajardo made the appeal following reports that former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan could be pressured to link Romualdez to the flood control controversy.

“We are requesting the Ombudsman to inform us if there is any allegation from Secretary Bonoan against former Speaker Romualdez and to give us ample time to comment on it,” Fajardo said.

“Fair play and due process require that such information and opportunity be accorded to us at this point in the process, the preliminary investigation stage, not if and when the Ombudsman decides to file charges in court,” he added.

Fajardo also asked for information regarding 28 new witnesses reportedly appearing before the Ombudsman, including any statements they may have made against Romualdez.

“There is also the report that the Ombudsman has 28 new witnesses. We would like to know if there is any statement from them against our client, and we would like as well to have the opportunity to respond,” he said.

Romualdez’s camp has maintained that there is no credible witness linking him to the alleged flood control anomalies.

Allegations, recantations

Romualdez was first linked to the alleged anomalies in September 2025, when contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya named lawmakers who they claimed demanded kickbacks during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.

Former Quezon City 4th District Rep. Marvin Rillo was among those mentioned. Curlee Discaya told senators that Rillo had repeatedly mentioned Romualdez’s name as his close friend.

Romualdez rejected the allegations.

”Let me be clear: Wala akong kinalaman, wala akong pahintulot, at wala akong basbas sa mga ganyang gawain,” he said in a statement.

(I have no role and I have not allowed this kind of action.)

”Congress debates and approves the budget. It does not release funds. It does not implement projects. That is the sole duty of the Executive and agencies like the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways),” he added.

Romualdez also said he had never and would never accept a bribe.

He was later accused of using the Discayas as a “front” in purchasing a high-end property in Makati City, an allegation he denied, saying he had never met the couple.

In September 2025, Orly Guteza, who identified himself as a former Marine and security consultant for then Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, alleged that he delivered luggage containing money to the residences of Co in Pasig City and Romualdez in McKinley, Makati City.

Romualdez called Guteza’s testimony “an outright and complete fabrication.”

In February 2026, 18 men who identified themselves as former security personnel of Co, including former Marines, surfaced and executed affidavits alleging they had delivered suitcases of cash to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Romualdez, Co and other personalities.

Four of them later recanted their statements.

Guteza also subsequently recanted his allegations and executed a new affidavit claiming that Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former House lawmaker Mike Defensor had tapped him to fabricate accusations against Romualdez in exchange for money and scholarships for his children.

Despite the recantations, the Ombudsman said in August that it still had 28 witnesses with material information concerning the former speaker’s alleged links to the flood control controversy.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla also alleged that Romualdez’s camp was behind the recantation of four former bodyguards who had linked him to the controversy.

Romualdez’s camp has denied the allegations and on Sept. 1 accused the Ombudsman of having “prejudged” him as the mastermind of the flood control controversy even before the completion of the investigation.

Palace: Marcos will not oppose charges

Malacañang said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. would not oppose the filing of charges against Romualdez, who is his cousin.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President’s position was that anyone who should be held accountable must face the consequences regardless of their relationship or political affiliation.

“Ang sa Pangulo naman po, kung sino ang dapat managot ay dapat na panagutin. Kung sino man po yan: kamag-anak, kaibigan, kaalyado, o kalaban sa politika,” Castro said.

“Kung ano ang isinisigaw ng ebidensya, dapat lamang itong mailahad,” she continued, adding it’s up to the accused to defend themselves based on evidence.

“Iginagalang natin ang aksyon ng Ombudsman dahil ito naman ay nasa kanilang mandato,” she said.

Castro said she had not asked Marcos about his personal feelings regarding Romualdez’s alleged connection to the flood control controversy. However, she cited the President’s 2025 State of the Nation Address and said, “Puwede nating masabi na hindi maganda ‘yung pakiramdam na ganito ang nangyari.”

“Pero ‘pag ebidensya ang nagsusumigaw, kailangan itong makita ng taumbayan,” Castro said.