Lumabas sa imbestigasyon ng Office of the Ombudsman na si dating House Speaker at Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez umano ang “central figure” sa flood control scam at mayroon na silang nakitang sapat na ebidensiya upang ituloy ang pagsasampa ng kaso laban dito.
“Our investigation identifies former Speaker Romualdez as the central figure in a scheme built on the diversion of public funds meant for flood control projects,” pahayag ni Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano nitong Lunes, Hulyo 20.
Malaking bahagi umano ng ebidensiya ang mga sinumpaang salaysay ng walo sa mga dating security personnel ni dating Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, na personal na nakita ang cash deliveries ng umano’y kickback mula sa flood control scam.
“This Office (Ombudsman) follows the evidence wherever it leads – regardless of the office once held, the influence still wielded, or the political weight of the name involved,” ayon kay Clavano.
Bukod kay Romualdez, sasampahan din aniya ng reklamo para sumailalim sa preliminary investigation si Co at ilan pang indibiduwal na sangkot sa plunder at paglabag sa Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Nilinaw ni Clavano na hindi nangangahulugang guilty na ang mga respondent sa paghahain ng reklamo kundi nakitaan pa lamang ang mga ito ng sapat na ebidensiya upang sumailalim sa masusing imbestigasyon.
“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,” ayon pa sa pahayag ni Clavano.
Palasyo dumistansiya
Ipinahayag ng Malacañang na hindi nakikialam si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa imbestigasyon ng Ombudsman laban sa kanyang pinsan na si Romualdez.
“Hindi po makikialam ang Pangulo sa anumang pag-iimbestiga. Sabi nga po natin at ang sabi rin po ng Pangulo, kahit sino po ang maapektuhan nito, kung saan po papunta ang ebidensiya, sundan na lang po natin,” ayon kay Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary at Palace Press Officer Claire Castro sa isang press briefing nitong Lunes.
Romualdez haharapin Ombudsman
Sasagutin umano ni Romualdez ang reklamong ihahain ng Ombudsman laban sa kanya kaugnay ng flood control scam.
“The Office of the Ombudsman itself made one thing unmistakably clear today: Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has not been convicted of any offense, no criminal case has been filed before the Sandiganbayan, and he has not yet even been given the opportunity to answer the allegations against him,” sabi ni Atty. Elaine Atienza, tagapagsalita ni Romualdez.
Wala pa aniyang natatanggap na kopya ng reklamo si Romualdez subalit sasagutin nila ito nang buong-buo oras na makarating sa kanila.
Mariin ding itinanggi ng kampo ni Romualdez na nagtangka itong umalis ng bansa.
“We deny in the strongest possible way any insinuation that Rep. Romualdez has attempted to evade the legal process. Uulitin po namin: kailanman ay hindi nagtago si Rep. Romualdez,” ayon kay Atienza. (Billy Begas/Bernard Taguinod)
The post Martin Romualdez sentro ng flood control scam – Ombudsman first appeared on Tonite - Abante.
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