MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday filed a plunder case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez over alleged kickbacks worth over P7 billion.
The same charges were also filed against against former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and others for allegedly engaging in “concerted and coordinated acts” to unlawfully amass, accumulate and acquire ill-gotten wealth from 2022 to 2025.
READ: Ombudsman files plunder case vs Romualdez in Sandiganbayan
Key points
- Beyond plunder, Romualdez faces graft and bribery raps linked to the same flood control scandal.
- The DPWH and Independent Commission for Infrastructure recommended plunder and other charges against Romualdez and Co in November 2025, based on their investigation of flood control irregularities.
- Romualdez has denied wrongdoing, stating his “conscience remains clear,” and his lawyers filed a supplemental affidavit in August 2026 to press for dismissal of the plunder complaint. He also challenged the Ombudsman’s use of “discredited” witnesses.
- The Ombudsman announced in April 2026 that plunder charges were being prepared against Romualdez and others related to the flood control scandal.
PRAYER FOR ACCOUNTABILITYLOOK: Fr. Robert Reyes of the Clergy for Good Governance leads members of August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM) in a prayer and protest rally for judicial integrity outside the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on Monday, September 7.The demonstration… pic.twitter.com/7jtqlNssst
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 7, 2026
PLUNDER CHARGES FILEDLOOK: Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano and staff carrying stacks of case files arrive at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on Monday, Sept. 7.The Office of the Ombudsman filed a 7.4 billion pesos plunder charge against former House Speaker and current… pic.twitter.com/qQ5Jk7BjaR
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 7, 2026
BREAKING: The Office of the Ombudsman files plunder case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. | @JEMendozaINQ pic.twitter.com/I6HWGndSZJ
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 7, 2026
Romualdez lawyer: He respects the court, will face allegations
Martin Romualdez charged with plunder
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