Leyte: Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has not been linked by any evidence to alleged anomalous flood control projects, his spokespersons stated on Thursday, emphasizing that the accusations do not align with the national budget process.
According to Philippines News Agency, lawyer Elaine Atienza, representing Romualdez, stressed that despite multiple investigations by the Senate and House, no past or present official from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has implicated Romualdez in any phase of the alleged ghost flood control projects. This includes planning, procurement, implementation, inspection, payment, or release of funds. She noted that even former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who had direct insights into the department's operations, never accused Romualdez of any wrongdoing.
Atienza highlighted the structured process of the national budget, which is prepared by the Executive branch through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and its implementing agencies, including the DPWH, before being reviewed by Congress. She explained that neither the Speaker nor any other elected official can override the independent constitutional mandates exercised by Cabinet secretaries and senators. She emphasized that once the budget is enacted into law, the Speaker has no authority over project execution or the allocation of funds.
Further, Atienza argued that portraying Romualdez as the 'mastermind' behind the alleged irregularities would necessitate believing that he had control over every aspect of the budget and infrastructure process. She called for accountability to be based on evidence rather than political convenience, pointing out the absence of evidence linking Romualdez to the purported projects.
Meanwhile, lawyer Ade Fajardo, another spokesperson for Romualdez, accused Bonoan of being deeply entangled in the flood control projects. Describing Bonoan as a 'polluted' and 'biased' source, Fajardo expressed surprise at the Office of the Ombudsman's decision to consider Bonoan as a state witness. He asserted that Bonoan should return PHP1 billion in alleged kickbacks from flood control projects, as claimed by former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.
Fajardo voiced concerns over the Ombudsman's intentions to use Bonoan's testimony against Romualdez, noting that Bonoan had never previously mentioned Romualdez in connection with the scandal. He criticized Bonoan's recent allegations as an attempt to gain immunity and avoid incarceration. Fajardo speculated that linking Romualdez to the scandal may be an effort to lend credibility to claims of a 'big fish' involved, given Romualdez's connection to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Despite the allegations, Fajardo affirmed that Romualdez is prepared to face any charges, asserting there is no evidence supporting the accusations against him. Romualdez remains committed to fulfilling his obligations and accountability, with no intention of evading responsibility.
