Ombudsman to file plunder, money laundering raps vs Romualdez, Zaldy Co

“After a thorough and painstaking investigation, the Office of the Ombudsman is set to file two separate complaints for preliminary investigation against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Mr. Elizaldy Co and several others: one for Plunder under Republic Act No. 7080, and another for violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, as amended,” Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic “Mico” Clavano IV said during a media briefing.

He clarified that a complaint for preliminary investigation is not a conviction and does not yet constitute a formal court charge.

“It is this Office’s determination that the evidence gathered is substantial enough to warrant a full and formal inquiry into whether or not the case should be filed in court,” he said during a press briefing on Monday, July 20.

The OMB said it will require the respondents, including Romualdez, to answer the allegations contained in the complaints and submit their respective defenses.

“Once we receive his defense and that of his co-respondents, the case will be submitted for resolution, and the decision will lie with the panel of prosecutors whether or not the case should be filed in the Sandiganbayan,” Clavano said.

“I would like to assure the public that this Office follows the evidence wherever it leads — regardless of the office once held, the influence still wielded, or the political weight of the name involved.”

OMB identifies Romualdez as alleged central figure

Per Clavano, the OMB’s investigation identified Romualdez as “the central figure in a scheme built on the diversion of public funds meant for flood control projects — funds that were supposed to shield Filipino communities from the very floods that, year after year, take their homes, their livelihoods, and too often, their lives.”

“His co-respondents in this complaint include former congressman Zaldy Co, among others,” he said.

Clavano stressed that the case is anchored on the sworn statements of eight individuals who previously served as Co’s security personnel, who allegedly witnessed and detailed the amounts delivered by Co to Romualdez.

“This is not hearsay passed down secondhand. It is firsthand account from those who were there,” he said.

“That testimony does not stand alone. It is corroborated by an independent evidentiary trail — from money exchange companies to bank transfers to shell companies — all using personalities tied to the former Speaker, Martin Romualdez,” he went on.

According to the OMB, the sworn statements of Co’s former security personnel provide what it described as the first documented trail of money allegedly transferred from Co to Romualdez.

“Investigation yields, however, that the money trail did not stop there. In an apparent attempt to cover up the extraordinary wealth, the money was exchanged, co-mingled and laundered through an elaborate scheme,” said Clavano.

“The result? Numerous luxury houses and condominiums, extravagant investments in different industries, and enough money left to change narratives, buy opinions and attempts to destroy and manipulate evidence. Records drawn from the Anti-Money Laundering Council, money service businesses, and corporate structures that our investigators allege were used as instruments in this scheme, when read together, tell one consistent story.”

‘Has not ceased attempting to leave the country’

Clavano said the OMB received credible intelligence reports alleging that Romualdez has not stopped attempting to leave the country despite a Precautionary Hold Departure Order issued by the Sandiganbayan.

“The office calls on all relevant agencies to make sure this does not happen,” he said.

“Let me make this clear. We are not done collecting evidence. We are not done filing cases. The investigation reveals more and more each day and each week,” he added.

According to Clavano, turning a blind eye to the evidence would run contrary to the OMB’s mandate.

“So, we build cases as the evidence comes and each element and crime becomes apparent. As more come, the more we work and the more our cases churn,” he said. — Jel Santos