Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is now the subject of two formal complaints for preliminary investigation filed by the Office of the Ombudsman, with the institution publicly naming him as the “central figure” in an alleged scheme involving the misuse of billions in public funds set aside for flood control projects across the country.
Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic “Mico” Clavano IV read the announcement publicly on July 20, identifying the two complaints: one charging plunder under Republic Act No. 7080, and another alleging violations of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, as amended. Also named as a respondent is former Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, along with several other individuals, according to the Ombudsman’s office.
Sworn Accounts from Former Security Personnel
Central to the complaints are sworn affidavits executed by eight former members of Co’s personal security detail. Clavano said these individuals claimed to have personally witnessed cash allegedly being handed over from Co to Romualdez, and that their statements describe specific amounts involved in each exchange.
The assistant ombudsman was careful to characterize this testimony as direct, not hearsay. He described the statements as coming from people “who were there” — individuals who traveled with Co and were present during the transactions in question. This distinction, he indicated, is significant to how the Ombudsman’s office assessed the evidentiary weight of the complaints.
Eight Selected from a Larger Witness Pool
The eight former marines whose accounts anchored the July 20 announcement were not the complete pool of available witnesses. Atty. Levito Baligod, counsel for the former marines, disclosed that the eight were randomly chosen from a group of 18 individuals. Each was separately interviewed by lawyers from the Ombudsman’s office and required to execute an individual affidavit.
According to Baligod, the Ombudsman’s office informed him that the sworn statements of the remaining ten witnesses would be secured at a later date. “Walo pa lang yan,” Baligod said — an indication that further testimony is forthcoming and that the evidentiary record is still being built.
What Preliminary Investigation Means — and What It Does Not
Clavano was deliberate in explaining the procedural weight of the announcement. The filing of a complaint for preliminary investigation means the Ombudsman has found sufficient basis to formally inquire into whether the evidence warrants court charges — it does not constitute a conviction, nor does it amount to a formal indictment before a judicial body.
All respondents, Clavano affirmed, will have the opportunity to submit their answers to the allegations. The presumption of innocence applies fully until a proper judicial forum rules otherwise. The next step, should the investigation conclude there is probable cause, would be a referral to the Sandiganbayan for trial.
Prior Sanctions Already in Place Against Romualdez
The Ombudsman’s filing follows a series of earlier legal actions taken against the former House Speaker. Court records show that the Court of Appeals issued an order in April freezing assets connected to Romualdez after finding probable cause linking those assets to alleged plunder, graft, and bribery. The Sandiganbayan separately affirmed a hold departure order preventing him from leaving the Philippines.
The United States government has also cancelled Romualdez’s diplomatic and tourist visas. Despite the travel ban, Clavano said the Ombudsman’s office had received credible intelligence indicating that Romualdez has been making attempts to depart the country. He called on all relevant government agencies to ensure those attempts are thwarted.
Co, who previously chaired the House appropriations committee, remains outside the Philippines and is currently considered a fugitive, according to the Ombudsman’s office.
Defense Rejects the Allegations
The legal team representing Romualdez has consistently denied the accusations. His lawyers told the Daily Tribune that they are prepared to engage the legal process but maintain that no clear or direct evidence connects their client to the alleged anomalies. They noted that the matter remains at the case build-up stage and is not yet before any court.
The defense has also raised questions about the credibility of the affidavits submitted by Co’s alleged bagmen, pointing to what it characterized as inconsistencies in the accounts. Romualdez himself has repeatedly denied being the mastermind and has attributed relevant budget decisions to others.
Filing Follows Ombudsman’s Public Warning
The July 20 announcement came just three days after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla stated on July 17 that his office was “very close” to filing plunder charges against Romualdez, according to Rappler. The formal move validated that timeline. State prosecutors, as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, have estimated the value of alleged kickbacks tied to the flood control projects at approximately ₱56 billion — a figure that underscores the scale of the allegations at the heart of the case.
Next Steps for the Respondents
With the preliminary investigation formally initiated, Romualdez and his co-respondents will be required to submit their respective answers to the charges. After responses are received and evaluated, a panel of prosecutors will determine whether sufficient grounds exist to elevate the case to the Sandiganbayan for full trial proceedings.
By the Numbers
- ₱56 billion — estimated value of alleged kickbacks linked to flood control projects, as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer citing state prosecutors
- 2 — number of complaints filed: one for plunder under R.A. 7080, one for Anti-Money Laundering Act violations
- 8 — former personal security personnel whose sworn statements form the foundation of the complaints
- 18 — total former marines in the available witness pool, according to Atty. Baligod
- July 17, 2025 — date Ombudsman Remulla publicly signaled that charges were imminent, three days before the formal announcement
Why This Matters
The Ombudsman’s move to file plunder and money laundering complaints against a former House Speaker marks one of the most consequential anti-corruption actions involving a sitting legislative leader in recent Philippine history. The complaints are grounded in direct eyewitness testimony from former security personnel — a category of evidence the Ombudsman has explicitly distinguished from circumstantial or secondhand accounts — lending the proceedings a firmer evidentiary foundation at this early stage. With ten additional witnesses still to provide affidavits and a co-respondent fugitive still at large, the scope and weight of the case are expected to grow significantly before any resolution is reached at the Sandiganbayan.
Source: Daily Tribune / Rappler / Philippine Daily Inquirer
