Ombudsman Receives Referral on Leyte Rep. Romualdez for Further Investigation

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has forwarded its findings regarding Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to the Ombudsman for further investigation, clarifying that the referral does not imply any determination of guilt or responsibility on the part of the former Speaker.

In a two-page document delivered last Friday, the ICI stated the referral was made "without prejudice to the Commission to accept or receive additional evidence, if any, concerning former Speaker Romualdez." The commission reiterated in a statement released Monday that the transmission was "solely to ensure that all acts, omissions, and surrounding circumstances properly falling within the Ombudsman's constitutional and statutory authority–particularly those involving high-ranking officials–are subjected to the processes under Article XI, Section 13 of the Constitution and Republic Act No. 6770."

The ICI further emphasized that the referral aims to enable the Ombudsman to promptly conduct its own fact-finding investigation, avoiding overlapping or fragmented probes. The commission noted that the Ombudsman is the constitutionally mandated body responsible for determining whether criminal or administrative charges under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards are warranted against public officials.

It was earlier reported that both the ICI and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) recommended filing plunder, graft, and bribery charges against Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co.

ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka clarified that there were two separate referrals: one originating from the DPWH and another from the ICI itself. He explained, "There were two referrals. One was from the DPWH. It was joint in the sense that we submitted together. The other referral, from the ICI, was when we submitted evidence and documents pertaining to that referral of the DPWH to help the Ombudsman further investigate the matter. So that became the joint submission, as far as the DPWH and the ICI are concerned."

Both Romualdez and Co have denied any wrongdoing. Reports indicate that Co has left the country, with the last known location being Japan.