Imee Marcos questions absence of Martin Romualdez in flood control corruption cases

Senator Imee Marcos raised concerns over why her cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, has not been implicated in the flood control corruption cases that prosecutors are reportedly preparing to file.

Marcos pointed out that Romualdez’s apparent exclusion from the list of lawmakers and other personalities facing possible charges was striking, adding that his name has not surfaced at all in ongoing discussions surrounding the issue.

She aired her remarks during a television interview with Karen Davila on ANC’s Headstart, where she openly questioned why Romualdez was seemingly being left out.

“Well, it seems apparent. Ang sabi mo, dini-deny nila o hindi linilista si Martin, iyong aking pinsang buo, nakakaloka talaga, si Bonjing. Si Bonjing, hindi naman binabanggit,” Marcos said.

Marcos added that authorities have been issuing what she described as “very fervid denials” of any direct link between Romualdez and the alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

“In addition to that, aside from the fact that they’re somehow forgetting his name, there have also been very fervent denials that there is any direct link daw. Wala daw connection. Napapakamot na naman ako ng ulo.”

Marcos said she initially thought Romualdez would be charged after former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, but that did not materialize.

“I was thinking that perhaps after Zaldy Co, he would be charged, but evidently that’s not the case, when in fact that should have been. And thereafter, ija-jogging na lang iyong kaso. Alam na natin yan, ipo-postpone nang ipo-postpone, mamaya dismissed on technical grounds, may kakulangan, Alam na natin,” she said.

She stressed, however, that what troubled her most was what she perceived as the active defense and cover-up of Romualdez.

“Pero in this case, in your face, talagang dini-deny, pinagtatanggol, pinagtatakpan. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan na,” she pointed out.

Malacañang earlier ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to turn over to the Ombudsman any information gathered so far in connection with Romualdez and Co.

In a video message, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Ombudsman would continue investigating Romualdez and Co.