By Billy Begas
Former Speaker and incumbent Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez will respond to the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman once it is formally served on him.
Atty. Elaine Atienza, spokesperson for Romualdez, stressed that the Ombudsman’s announcement on Monday only covers the start of a preliminary investigation and does not amount to a finding of liability.
“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,” said Atienza in a statement.
Atienza said that the Ombudsman’s announcement “pertains only to the commencement of a preliminary investigation, where respondents are afforded the opportunity to present their side, and where the constitutional presumption of innocence remains fully in force.”
“Rep. Romualdez has not yet been formally served with a copy of the complaint. Once we receive it, sasagot po kami nang buong-buo,” she said.
Romualdez’s spokesperson said the legal process should proceed in the proper forum based on evidence rather than public accusations.
“Ang batas ay hindi sumusunod sa ingay ng akusasyon. Sumusunod ito sa bigat ng ebidensya,” Atienza said. “We respect all legal processes. That is precisely why we believe this matter should be resolved where our laws require it to be resolved—in the proper legal forum, after both sides have been fully heard.”
Atienza said Romualdez remains “confident that once the facts are examined objectively and the evidence is tested under the law, Rep. Romualdez will be able to clear his name.”
She also denied allegations that the lawmaker was avoiding the legal process.
“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,” Atienza said.
“Hinarap nya ang ICI, at haharapin nya ang Office of the Ombudsman. Siya po ay nasa bansa at mananatili sa bansa until such time that he will be able to clear his name,” she added.—Politiko.com.ph
