MANILA — A prosecution witness testified that he delivered approximately 20 suitcases to the Forbes Park residence of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as prosecutors presented video footage and private messages allegedly documenting deliveries of cash-filled luggage during Monday’s plunder bail hearing at the Sandiganbayan.
George Villalon Jr., one of the witnesses collectively known as the “Maleta boys,” told the anti-graft court’s Third Division that he personally recorded a 13-second video inside Romualdez’s residence in Forbes Park, Makati City, on November 21, 2023, at around 2 p.m.
The footage was presented as part of the prosecution’s evidence in connection with the plunder case arising from the alleged flood control corruption scandal.
During questioning by Deputy Special Prosecutor Omar Sagadal, Villalon identified the location where the video was recorded.
“Sa loob ng bahay ni dating Speaker Martin Romualdez,” Villalon told the court.
Villalon testified that he sent the footage to his wife through Facebook Messenger to inform her about the activity at the residence.
Prosecutors also presented a screenshot of a message allegedly sent by Villalon to his wife on the same day, containing two photographs that appeared to show suitcases.
The message, timestamped 12:59 p.m., carried the caption: “Puro pera laman nyan deliver kay rumualdez [sic].”
The message suggested that the suitcases contained money intended for delivery to Romualdez, although the contents of the luggage have not been independently established.
Villalon further testified that he had delivered approximately 20 suitcases to the former House speaker’s residence, a claim prosecutors presented to support their allegations concerning the purported movement of cash.
The testimony and electronic evidence were introduced during proceedings on Romualdez’s petition for bail, with prosecutors seeking to substantiate the allegations underlying the plunder charge.
The presentation of the video and messages marked another development in the prosecution’s attempt to establish the alleged cash deliveries and their connection to the former House speaker.
However, the witness’s account, the alleged contents of the suitcases, and their purported connection to Romualdez remain subject to judicial scrutiny.
The presentation of the evidence does not constitute a finding of guilt, and the allegations against Romualdez have yet to be established by the court./PN
