PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday clarified that while former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was not among those recommended for charges in the multibillion-peso flood control fund scam, it does not automatically mean he has been cleared of any possible involvement.
Marcos made the statement following queries about why Romualdez’s name was missing from the list of officials and contractors facing graft and malversation complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman.
According to the President, the only existing link between Romualdez and the controversy is a testimony made during a Senate hearing by a former member of the Philippine Marines.
“I don’t think so. Because the only evidence that has been made against him is in the Senate. So, I don’t know. Not as yet,” Marcos said during a Palace briefing.
The President added that if new evidence surfaces directly implicating Romualdez, the former Speaker would have to answer it.
Marcos also emphasized that the administration is not filing cases for publicity or political optics but to ensure real accountability.
“We don’t file cases for optics. We file cases to put people in jail or to make people answer,” he said.
The President encouraged the public to come forward with credible information that could strengthen ongoing investigations into corruption within the government’s flood control projects.
“The more information and evidence we get, the more cases we can file against those who truly deserve to be held accountable,” he added.
