Plunder raps vs Chiz, Romualdez to be filed in May

At a press briefing yesterday, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the cases, which include elements of conspiracy, may be filed as early as May this year.

“We’re just tying up many things that have to be there for us to make a case out of it. The former Senate president and the former speaker will be subjected to a case of plunder very soon,” he said.

Remulla said the charges are tied to the flood control scandal “in so many ways” and could implicate several lawmakers from both chambers, as well as officials from the Department of Budget and Management.

The investigation focuses on the crafting of the national budget, particularly how it was processed in Congress and how certain projects were implemented.

He added that the probe primarily covers the 2024 and 2025 national budgets but may extend back to the term of former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco from 2020 to 2022.

The case buildup is based in part on testimonies presented during the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearings on the flood control controversy last year.

“If you think about it, there was a conspiracy to commit plunder. I think we can put everything together. You yourselves can put it together. It doesn’t take a genius to do it,” Remulla said.

Responding to this development, Romualdez’s lawyer and spokesman Ade Fajardo said they have taken note of reports about the alleged preparation of a complaint but stressed that no case has been filed.

He added that they respect the processes of the Office of the Ombudsman and would fully cooperate should formal proceedings be initiated.

“We trust that the ombudsman will fully adhere to the circular that he instituted and signed as then secretary of the Department of Justice, that DOJ prosecutors should only pursue cases with reasonable certainty of conviction,” Fajardo said in a statement.

The lawyer also maintained that there is no evidence linking Romualdez to any ghost or substandard projects related to the flood control issue.

“We remain confident that these matters will be resolved based on evidence and due process – not politics or speculation,” he said.

Escudero, for his part, had no statement as of last night, but in previous remarks, he likewise denied any involvement in alleged irregularities tied to the flood control projects.

Garafil warned

In a related development, Remulla warned House of Representatives Secretary General Cheloy Garafil of possible suspension if she continues to defy subpoenas related to the release of lawmakers’ statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs).

The ombudsman said its subpoenas have allegedly been refused, with its personnel even barred entry by House security.

“Congress refuses to receive the subpoena we are sending. I will cite the secretary general in contempt and we will not allow the ombudsman to be disregarded,” he said.

“If we do not obtain the SALNs, I will suspend her from her position. Let the legal system be tested if that is what is necessary,” he added.

Garafil, whose office handles the custody and release of SALNs, has maintained that the documents cannot be disclosed without prior approval from the House through a plenary vote.

Remulla said the ombudsman is seeking SALNs covering up to 10 years, or the duration of the lawmakers’ tenure in Congress, stressing that his office will not accept any excuses for non-compliance.

Meanwhile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada appeared before the Sandiganbayan to report his return to the country following overseas travel during the Holy Week from March 31 to April 5.

The anti-graft court’s Fifth Division had granted his request to visit Hong Kong, Macau and Japan, subject to the condition that he report back upon his return.

Estrada, who is out on bail, is facing 11 counts of graft over the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund during his term as senator from 2004 to 2010.

Prosecutors alleged that about P183 million of his PDAF was funneled to non-government organizations linked to businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles in exchange for kickbacks, for projects later found to be non-existent or irregular.

In January 2024, however, the Sandiganbayan acquitted Estrada of plunder. — Daphne Galvez