President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, that the Ombudsman is preparing to file multiple cases against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, his cousin, over alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
Marcos said he understands the personal impact of the move, but stressed that his responsibility as President is to the Filipino people.
“Hindi ako Pangulo ng aking pamilya. Hindi ako Pangulo ng aking kaibigan. Ako ay Pangulo ng Pilipinas at ang tungkulin ko ay sa inyo: ang aking mga kapwa Pilipino,” Marcos said.
The President said the Ombudsman informed him that the filing of “patong-patong na kaso” against the former Speaker is already near.
“Masakit man sa akin ito ngunit kailangan nating gawin ang tama,” he said.
Marcos recalled his promise during last year’s SONA to go after those behind the alleged corruption in flood control projects. He said the investigation was carried out without favoring anyone and followed where the evidence pointed.
“Mayroon nang mga unang nakasuhan at nakulong: mga kontratista; matataas na opisyal; pati na mga mambabatas,” he said.
He also reported that nearly P25 billion worth of money and assets linked to the alleged anomalies have been recovered, frozen, or preserved. More than P800 million has already been returned to the national treasury.
Marcos said the government also stopped the release of funds for defective, fake, and “ghost” projects to prevent more public money from being lost.
The President said the Ombudsman and the National Prosecution Service will handle the cases, while assuring the public that any recovered funds will be returned to government coffers.IMT
