Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla insisted he will not inhibit from the probe linking former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to the flood control scandal. He confirmed a Court of Appeals freeze order on Romualdez's assets and warned of more cases to come. Hold departure orders were also sought against former Senate President Francis Escudero and businessman Maynard Ngu.
MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla insisted he will not inhibit from the case linking former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to the flood control scandal. Speaking on dzRH's "Executive Session" yesterday, he said the ombudsman's duty is "to side with the victims… to prevent corruption and abuse of power and punish offenders" as mandated by the Constitution.
"How will we punish if I inhibit? It is our duty... No such thing as inhibition," Remulla said. He told an unnamed accuser from Romualdez's Villaraza & Angangco Law Offices to "go back to law school."
Remulla confirmed Romualdez is covered by a Court of Appeals freeze order on 25 bank accounts and 10 insurance policies. He warned of more freeze orders and plans to file "around five to six cases." The Anti-Money Laundering Council linked the order to plunder, graft, and bribery in P56 billion anomalies.
Meanwhile, the Ombudsman filed precautionary hold departure orders against former Senate President Francis Escudero and businessman Maynard Ngu on April 25 at the Sandiganbayan. Ngu, tagged as "bagman" by former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, donated P30 million to Escudero's 2022 campaign. Bernardo denied being the mastermind, pointing to Zaldy Co.
