Ombudsman eyes plunder charges vs Romualdez, Escudero

National

THE Office of the Ombudsman is preparing to file plunder charges against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate President Francis Escudero over alleged irregularities linked to the national budget and flood control projects.

In a report by Philstar, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the cases could be filed as early as May as investigators finalize evidence and review possible conspiracy involving several officials.

According to Remulla, the probe focuses on how the national budget was prepared and implemented, particularly for the 2024 and 2025 budgets.

Authorities are also looking into earlier years, including the term of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco from 2020 to 2022. The investigation is partly based on testimonies presented during Senate hearings on the flood control controversy.

Romualdez’s camp, through lawyer Ade Fajardo, said they respect the legal process and will cooperate if a formal case is filed.

The lawyer stressed that no complaint has been officially submitted yet and maintained that there is no evidence linking Romualdez to alleged ghost or substandard projects.

Escudero has also previously denied involvement in any irregularities tied to the flood control issue.(Bhea Bianca S. Sadaya, CTU-TC BAEL-ELSD Intern)