MANILA – Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla hinted that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez may be held accountable for gross inexcusable negligence in connection with the appointment of ex-legislator Zaldy Co as chairperson of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, now mired in corruption controversy.
Remulla said Romualdez, as then Speaker of the House, bears ultimate responsibility for Co’s selection to the key budget panel, which has been accused of enabling last-minute insertions in the 2025 national budget.
“If fingers do not point to the former speaker, as the leader of the House, he was responsible to the appointment of Zaldy Co. Although he was elected on the floor, everybody knows that it was the speaker’s choice,” Remulla said.
Co, who has been accused of “masterminding” the alleged budget insertions, has denied wrongdoing, calling the charges “false and baseless.”
Remulla stressed that the consequences of Co’s actions may extend beyond administrative lapses, describing the situation as damaging to the government and the public.
“The whole government machinery and the Filipino people suffered damages due to the acts of Zaldy Co. And if there’s nothing criminal about it, then it’s negligence at least,” he added.
Under the Revised Penal Code, gross negligence carries penalties ranging from arresto mayor to prision correccional, depending on the gravity of the damage caused.
Romualdez has also been tagged in separate controversies involving flood control projects, though he has repeatedly denied any involvement./PN
