Seize Marcos, ‘biggest fish’: Fight far from over

Seize Marcos, ‘biggest fish’: Fight far from over | Daily Tribune

Tinio said that while the two former House leaders were among the “big fish” in the controversy, the scheme could not have been carried out without the “blessing” of Marcos.

“Let us not forget — the most widespread plunder of the public treasury in the post-martial law era could not have happened without the blessing, tolerance, implementation, direct involvement, and benefit of President Marcos Jr. himself,” Tinio said.

“He is the biggest fish of the flood control scam,” he added. “The fight is far from over.”

Tinio, a staunch critic of the administration, welcomed the arrest and detention of Romualdez, calling the development a “step forward” for accountability.

Romualdez was arrested while he was confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on 7 September. His lawyers then filed a motion for his continued hospital confinement.

In ruling on the motion, the Sandiganbayan ordered an independent examination at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

Doctors from the PGH found that Romualdez was “clinically stable” and could be discharged, no longer requiring inpatient care.

Even with the development, Tinio reiterated that the authorities were still obligated to ensure that all individuals involved in the issue were prosecuted, in the interest of justice and accountability.

“We warn the Ombudsman and the entire justice system: the case cannot stop at Romualdez and Co. The Filipino people, who have taken to the streets in their millions, demand nothing less than the prosecution of everyone implicated,” he said.

Drama? Mema! — PBBM

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., meanwhile, called those criticizing the arrest of his cousin, Mema, framing it as another attack on his administration. Mema is a street term meaning “just to have something to say.”

On Friday, Vice President Sara Duterte called the arrest of Romualdez a “drama” or orchestrated, while others said Romualdez was receiving special treatment as the cousin and a staunch ally of the President.

“Go see and talk to him and see if he agrees with you. Of course, but this is political, right? It’s not really a comment on what’s happening. It’s not really a belief that it is, in fact, drama. It’s kind of memasabi, they feel the need to say something to insult you, put you down, or criticize what you’re doing,” Marcos said.

Marcos was at the Kapihan Forum with the Philippine media at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi, India where he participated in the 18th BRICS Summit on Sunday.

Marcos said his detractors only wanted to show that he was a worthless person.

“So, they have to say that, and that’s what they’re saying. They’re not even commenting on the court procedures. It’s just another attack. We get that a lot,” he said.

Where’s the proof?

In a press briefing last 13 August, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro called out critics of Marcos who speculated that the chief executive had a hand in the flood control scandal.

Castro singled out Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, saying the lawmaker was relying on “theories” and “speculations” rather than presenting proof to substantiate his claim.

“[Erice] should not speak like he knows what the President is saying. He has no right to speak on behalf of the President unless he replaces me as spokesperson,” she said.

“So, if he simply relies on what he thinks, he should just let go of his thoughts. He needs to dismiss such thoughts that have no basis,” Castro added.

The Palace official urged individuals with evidence related to the flood control scandal to file their case with law enforcement authorities like the Office of the Ombudsman.

Former Speaker in Payatas

From the PGH, Romualdez was ordered transferred to the New Quezon City Jail to await trial in the continuing saga of the downfall of one of the big fish in the so-called Floodgate mess.

According to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Romualdez was scheduled to arrive at the facility at approximately 6 p.m.

He was transferred to the PGH from the Cardinal Santos Medical Center where his doctors had been monitoring his condition.

UP-PGH director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi said Romualdez was “clinically stable” but needed monitoring and continued medication for some medical conditions.

Given the findings of a team of PGH doctors, Legaspi said Romualdez could be discharged at “any time” in line with the court’s directive.

“Each of our experts found that Romualdez had some medical problems that needed treatment, but the treatment no longer needed to be done at a hospital,” the doctor said.

Legaspi said the Leyte lawmaker was not in imminent risk of a heart attack, amid previous concerns raised by his camp given his health history.

Officials from the New Quezon City Jail said they were capable of attending to the medical needs of the lawmaker.

‘I will face the charges’

Romualdez, in a statement, said he respected the justices’ decision on his pleadings.

The former House leader said he was prepared to face the allegations against him before the court, as he thanked his doctors for the treatment he received in the past week.

“I have always said that I will face the charges against me and answer them before the proper court. That has not changed. I maintain my innocence,” he said.

Romualdez, however, maintained that the development was a “difficult moment for my family and me” but remained hopeful that the truth would ultimately clear him.

“I will face the days ahead with dignity, with faith in God, and with confidence in the truth,” he said.

In the case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman last Monday, 7 September, Romualdez, along with former Congressman Co and two private individuals, were charged with plunder over alleged infrastructure kickbacks from 2022 to 2025.

Among the testimonies that state prosecutors used in the case were those of Co’s self-proclaimed bagmen, five of whom have since recanted their statements about delivering cash-filled luggage to numerous government officials, including Romualdez and Marcos.