The Independent Commission for Infrastructure submitted documents to the Office of the Ombudsman last week concerning former House Speaker Martin Romualdez's involvement in anomalous flood control projects. The referral, made on November 21, explicitly avoids any conclusion of guilt or liability. It aims to support the Ombudsman's investigation into potential violations without suggesting specific charges.
In Manila, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) turned over key documents to the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday, November 21, 2025, regarding former House Speaker Martin Romualdez's role in questionable flood control initiatives. The submission includes Romualdez's affidavit from October 13, a stenographic transcript of his October 14 testimony before the commission, and accompanying audio and video recordings.
The two-page referral emphasizes that it is 'issued without any finding or conclusion of guilt or liability on the part of Former Speaker Romualdez.' Unlike prior ICI referrals, which typically highlighted potential violations such as graft, malversation, or falsification, this one refrains from citing specific laws or actions that might constitute offenses. Instead, it notes that the Ombudsman is 'better equipped to determine whether the circumstances... warrant administrative or criminal accountability under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards, and other applicable laws.'
ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka confirmed the handover, stating it provides materials 'relative to former Speaker Romualdez and to aid the [Ombudsman] in its investigation.' The referral is made 'without prejudice' to further evidence and seeks to prevent duplicative probes by prompting the Ombudsman's fact-finding.
Romualdez's lawyer, Ade Fajardo, welcomed the move, saying they 'acknowledge the Referral... and welcome the Commission’s completion of its fact-gathering mandate.' He highlighted the absence of guilt findings and expressed trust in the Ombudsman's independent review, adding that Romualdez maintains a fair assessment will reveal the truth.
This action stems from investigations into around P100 billion in government contracts awarded to firms owned by former lawmaker Zaldy Co, including Sunwest Corp. and Hi Tone Construction, from 2016 to 2025. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Romualdez's cousin, ordered the evidence transfer and affirmed in September that no one, including family, would be spared from scrutiny in the flood control scandal.