MANILA — The camp of former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Tuesday firmly denied rumors that the lawmaker was planning to leave the country to evade possible charges stemming from the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation into the controversial flood control projects, insisting he remains in the Philippines and is prepared to face any legal proceedings.
In an interview over DZMM AM radio, Romualdez spokesperson Atty. Abdiel Dan Elijah Fajardo said the former Speaker has no intention of fleeing and continues to carry out his duties as Leyte’s representative while awaiting the outcome of the Ombudsman’s investigation.
“There is no truth to those claims. We continue to insist that the former Speaker is here in the Philippines and continues to serve as the representative of Leyte,” Fajardo said.
He stressed that Romualdez voluntarily relinquished the House speakership to allow investigations to proceed and remains committed to complying with the legal process.
“He believes in the rule of law. There has been no attempt on his part to leave the country,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo also dismissed speculation that Romualdez could easily flee using a private aircraft, saying the congressman deliberately chose to stay and cooperate with investigators.
“He stayed for the process. He appeared before the investigating body and is waiting for the Ombudsman’s findings. He will not run from his responsibilities,” Fajardo said.
The spokesperson said the camp has yet to receive any formal notice from the Office of the Ombudsman regarding criminal charges arising from the flood control controversy.
According to Fajardo, government officials have repeatedly claimed for months that charges were imminent, but none have been formally filed.
“There has been no formal communication from the Office of the Ombudsman. They have long been saying that cases are forthcoming, but more than three months have passed and no case has been filed,” he said.
Fajardo likewise questioned reports that investigators were relying on the testimonies of 18 Marines, claiming their statements were inconsistent.
He added that Romualdez has deliberately refrained from publicly discussing the allegations upon the advice of his lawyers, maintaining that the issues should be resolved through the courts rather than public debate.
“These matters should not be tried in the court of public opinion. They should go through the proper legal process,” Fajardo said.
The lawyer also criticized what he described as “highly prejudicial statements,” arguing that repeated public pronouncements could unfairly create the impression that Romualdez was already guilty despite the absence of formal charges.
Despite the controversy, Fajardo said the former Speaker continues to attend congressional functions and fulfill his responsibilities to his constituents in Leyte.
“He is only human, so naturally he feels the pressure. But he continues to perform his duties while preparing to answer whatever case may eventually be filed,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo reiterated that Romualdez would face whatever legal action may be initiated and urged the public not to believe rumors suggesting he was attempting to flee the country.
“There is no truth that he is trying to escape the country. We hope the public will not believe these rumors or assume he is guilty because of them,” he said./PN
