Ombudsman files plunder case vs Romualdez over flood-control scandal

MANILA, Philippines (2nd update, 5:59 p.m.) —  The Office of the Ombudsman filed a P7.44-billion plunder case Monday, Sept. 7, against former House speaker Martin Romualdez and three others over alleged kickbacks from flood-control, infrastructure and other government projects.

The Information also names former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, private individual Joselyn Tragua Serenio and Samchan Foreign Exchange Corp. president Felicito Cristobal Guevarra as co-accused.

Prosecutors accused Romualdez and Co of repeatedly receiving, directly or indirectly, commissions, shares, kickbacks, "commitments" and other financial benefits totaling at least P7.44 billion on at least 15 occasions.

The money allegedly came from contractors and other individuals or entities with interests in government projects funded under the national budgets from 2022 to 2025.

The Information alleged that some of the money was delivered to properties owned, occupied by or associated with Romualdez and received by Serenio and other people allegedly acting on his behalf.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano arrived at the Sandiganbayan around noon to file the plunder case under Republic Act 7080.

The filing came days after former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan was released from detention after the Sandiganbayan dropped him as an accused in a separate plunder and graft case involving alleged P573 million in flood-control kickbacks.

The Ombudsman sought Bonoan's exclusion from that case after he agreed to cooperate with prosecutors and serve as a state witness in other flood-control cases, including those involving Romualdez. It was not immediately clear whether Bonoan's testimony formed part of the P7.44-billion case filed Monday.

Later Monday, the Sandiganbayan Third Division found probable cause and issued warrants of arrest against Romualdez, Co, Serenio and Guevarra.

The warrants state that no bail is recommended.

The court also issued hold departure orders against all four accused.

In a statement, the Sandiganbayan stressed that the warrants signify only that the court found probable cause to believe the accused committed the offense charged.

"The issuance of a warrant of arrest signifies only that, after personally evaluating the records, the Court found probable cause to believe that the accused committed the offense charged," the court said.

It added that the finding does not determine guilt and that all accused remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Police personnel were also placed on standby at the Sandiganbayan as preparations were made for processing should any of the accused be brought before the court.

In July, the Ombudsman described Romualdez as an alleged "central figure" in the flood-control corruption scheme.

Romualdez has denied wrongdoing. — with reports from Ian Laqui

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