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Daphne Galvez - The Philippine Star
April 27, 2026 | 12:00am
An undated photo of the Ombudsman office.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman is preparing to file five to six more charges against former speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez within the next two weeks in connection with the flood control scandal, according to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.
Remulla made the remark as he confirmed that Romualdez was among the personalities covered by the freeze order recently issued by the Court of Appeals, which included 25 bank accounts and 10 insurance policies linked to him.
“That’s on only one case. But we have around five to six cases lined up. It will be filed consecutively within the next two weeks,” he said during his radio program “Executive Session” on dzRH over the weekend.
He explained that the cases, which are still undergoing preliminary investigation, are based on the same evidentiary foundation established by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
Remulla had insisted he should not inhibit in the case of Romualdez, saying it was his duty as ombudsman “to side with the victims… to prevent corruption and abuse of power and punish offenders” as mandated by the Constitution.
Romualdez earlier sought the inhibition of Remulla, citing his supposed prejudgment of the lawmaker.
Remulla announced that his office is preparing plunder cases against Romualdez and former Senate president Francis Escudero in relation to issues in the national budget tied to the flood control controversy.
Remulla said his office is eyeing to file the charges, which have the element of conspiracy, in May.
The ombudsman also sought a precautionary hold departure order against the lawmaker, which the Sandiganbayan granted.
