TACLOBAN CITY — The legal camp of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez remains confident that the Office of the Ombudsman will dismiss the complaints filed against him over alleged irregularities involving flood control projects.
Atty. Ade Fajardo, Romualdez’s legal counsel, said during a press briefing on Aug. 20 that the former Speaker’s camp is “101 percent” confident that the cases will be dismissed.
“We are 101 percent confident that the case will be dismissed,” Fajardo said.
The statement came after Orly Guteza reportedly recanted his allegations and three former Marines repudiated earlier statements that allegedly linked Romualdez to claims that millions of pesos in cash were delivered in suitcases to his residence.
Guteza’s allegations and the statements of the three former Marines were cited by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former congressman Mike Defensor in their accusations against Romualdez.
Fajardo said the individuals concerned have withdrawn their earlier statements through affidavits, with the latest affidavit reportedly executed on Aug. 13.
Romualdez has denied the allegations and previously asked the Ombudsman to dismiss the plunder, graft and other criminal complaints filed against him in connection with an alleged flood control kickback scheme.
His legal camp has maintained that the recantations weaken the allegations and remove the supposed direct link between Romualdez and the alleged unlawful transactions.
The complaints remain subject to the Ombudsman’s evaluation and determination.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
