Ombudsman: Flood control probe to proceed 'without fear or favor'

The investigation into those involved in the multibillion-peso flood control scandal will leave no stone unturned and will exempt no one from accountability, the Office of the Ombudsman said.

After President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed full confidence in the Ombudsman's investigation during his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), the agency reaffirmed its commitment to following the evidence wherever it leads.

“The Office of the Ombudsman acknowledges the President’s report to the nation on the flood control investigations,” the agency said in a statement.

“We are likewise grateful that this Office has been left free to carry out its constitutional mandate and to follow the evidence wherever it leads, including to those closest to the President himself,” it added.

The development Marcos referred to during his SONA was the Ombudsman's finding that his first cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, was among the key figures allegedly involved in the corruption scheme that the President first exposed more than a year ago.

On July 24, the Ombudsman submitted its findings for preliminary investigation against Romualdez, former party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, and other officials, recommending the filing of charges of plunder, graft, direct and indirect bribery, and money laundering.

In the 104-page complaint-affidavit, the officials were alleged to have amassed P56 billion in infrastructure project kickbacks from 2022 to 2025, with the proceeds allegedly funneled through various private companies and delivered in cash-filled luggage.

Among the evidence cited were the affidavits of eight of the 18 self-proclaimed former bodyguards of Co, who claimed they repeatedly delivered government funds to various public officials and personalities.

For its part, the Ombudsman said it would handle the case “steadily, fairly and without fear or favor,” reiterating that it would simply follow where the evidence leads.

“This is how accountability is meant to function: no favor asked, none given. The Office of the Ombudsman will press forward steadily, fairly and without fear or favor, for as long as the evidence and the law will allow,” it said.

In a related development, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano confirmed through a Viber message that Romualdez had been ordered to respond to the complaint within 15 days of receiving the order.

Clavano said the case would be submitted for resolution after all respondents have filed their respective counter-affidavits.

“I can confirm that an order to file counter-affidavit has been issued by the preliminary investigation team to former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez, as well as the rest of the respondents,” he said.

No favors, no special treatment

Responding to the President's remarks, Romualdez said he had never sought any favor or special treatment from his older cousin.

The former Speaker maintained his innocence and said he was prepared to “do what is right” by following the legal process, reiterating that he had committed no wrongdoing.

“Painful as it is for our family, I respect the President's statement. I never asked for any favors or special treatment,” he said.

“I agree that we should do what is right. Doing what is right means following the process and letting the evidence speak for itself. I maintain that I have not done anything illegal,” he added.

Romualdez had earlier asked the Ombudsman to inhibit itself from investigating the flood control controversy, arguing that its officials had already prejudged the case by describing him as one of the alleged “masterminds” of the scheme.

He also alleged that the 2025 national budget, which he described as the most corrupt budget in Philippine history, was primarily carried out through the executive branch of government.