ICI refers Romualdez case to Ombudsman for further investigation

The case of former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has been referred by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to the Office of the Ombudsman for further investigation.

Dated 21 November 2025, the referral concerns the ICI’s ongoing fact-finding investigation into alleged irregularities in flood-control projects. The move, according to the document, is based on Romualdez’s personal appearance before the commission on 14 October 2025 and an affidavit he submitted the day prior.

The ICI stressed that it is not making any finding or conclusion of guilt. It said the referral is a procedural step to allow the Ombudsman — the constitutionally designated disciplinary body for public officials — to conduct its own independent assessment.

“The Commission underscores that referring the matter at this stage is intended to permit the Honorable Office of the Ombudsman to promptly and immediately undertake its own fact-finding inquiry,” the document stated.

The ICI transmitted several pieces of evidence to the Ombudsman, including Romualdez’s sworn affidavit, the official transcript and recording of his appearance, and a separate court order dated 24 October 2025, which found that an affidavit from another individual, Orly Regala Guteza, had been falsified.

Romualdez’ case has been forwarded to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla for “appropriate and immediate action.”

The commission said it will continue its mandate and submit any additional relevant evidence to the Ombudsman as the investigation progresses.