Former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Friday questioned the Office of the Ombudsman’s continued reliance on witnesses who are facing cyber libel and perjury complaints in connection with the ongoing investigation into the flood control controversy.
In a statement, Romualdez said he was only seeking equal treatment under the law as the preliminary investigation proceeds.
“Pantay na hustisya lamang ang hinihingi ko,” Romualdez said.
He questioned the credibility of witnesses being used against him, saying some of them had already been publicly discredited by authorities and are now facing separate legal complaints.
“But the Ombudsman is using witnesses he himself and now the DOJ (Department of Justice) have already publicly discredited – and who are now facing cyberlibel and perjury charges,” he said.
Romualdez was referring to the 18 former bodyguards of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co and their lawyer, Levito Baligod, whose statements have been cited in allegations linked to the flood control controversy.
He said the witnesses had already been rejected and later charged but were still being used in the investigation.
“Mga testigong ibinasura na, kinasuhan pa ng cyberlibel at perjury — gagamitin pa rin para lang ituro ako at ako lamang,” Romualdez said.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier announced that criminal complaints for perjury and cyber libel had been filed against the witnesses before four Regional Trial Courts in Metro Manila.
The complaints stemmed from allegations involving the preparation and release of a joint sworn statement, media appearances, social media posts, and other online publications.
Despite raising his concerns, Romualdez said he would continue participating in the proceedings.
“Hindi ako uurong sa laban na ito. Hindi ako matitinag. Gawin natin ang tama,” he said.
Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN News
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