Witness: Martin received cash ‘maletas’

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez allegedly received suitcases of cash at four addresses from former Representative Zaldy Co between 2023 and 2024, according to testimony before the Sandiganbayan Third Division.

Gil Navidad, a security aide who said he worked for Co for three years, identified the delivery points as three residences in Forbes Park — 42 McKinley Road, 14 Narra Avenue, and 30 Tamarind Road — and a house on Aguado Street in front of Malacañang in Manila.

Navidad testified that three deliveries consisted of 10 suitcases each, while the delivery to the McKinley Road residence consisted of 20 suitcases, consistent with the earlier testimonies of George Villalon Jr. and Johnny Buduan, two other former security aides of Co.

Navidad said he was certain the McKinley Road property belonged to Romualdez because he had previously worked as a driver for businesswoman Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal-Collantes, whom he described as a friend of the former speaker.

According to Navidad, Madrigal-Collantes had once instructed him to deliver gifts to Romualdez. He recalled that she also lived in Forbes Park.

Navidad admitted, however, that he did not personally carry the suitcases into any of the four residences as the members of the security group had separate assignments during the deliveries.

He also testified that he never saw Romualdez at any of the houses, but maintained that he believed the suitcases were intended for the former House leader.

‘Basura’ delivered

Navidad earlier told the court that his team leaders referred to the contents of the suitcases as “basura,” or trash, when they made the deliveries.

He said he learned that the suitcases contained cash from statements made by fellow security aides and from instances when he personally saw money being placed inside them.

According to Navidad, the suitcases came in three sizes — small, medium, and large — and allegedly contained amounts ranging from P20 million to P70 million depending on the size.

Buduan had earlier testified that the suitcases used in the deliveries were locally made.

Romualdez denial

Navidad’s testimony forms part of the government’s case involving alleged irregularities in flood control and infrastructure projects, in which Co has been implicated.

Co, the former Ako Bicol Partylist representative and House appropriations committee chair, has been linked by investigators and whistleblowers to allegations that public funds were diverted through favored contractors and ghost or substandard projects.

Romualdez has denied involvement in any wrongdoing and has not been charged in connection with the allegations.

His name surfaced in witness accounts alleging that kickbacks from infrastructure projects were delivered in cash to public officials.

The Sandiganbayan anti-graft court is hearing the case in which Navidad, Villalon, Buduan, and other witnesses have testified on the alleged movement of cash from contractors and intermediaries to public officials.

The allegations against Romualdez remain unproven.