MANILA, Philippines — Leyte Representative and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has moved to disqualify the Office of the Ombudsman from investigating his alleged involvement in a trillion-peso corruption scandal. In a four-page letter submitted on Friday, April 24, 2026, Romualdez’s legal team argued that public statements made by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla have compromised the impartiality of the anti-graft body.
The move follows a series of high-profile developments in the “flood control controversy,” which involves allegations of “ghost” infrastructure projects and massive kickbacks.
Romualdez’s lawyers contend that the Ombudsman has already reached a conclusion regarding the lawmaker’s guilt before a formal preliminary investigation has even been completed.
- Public Remarks: The letter cites specific instances where Ombudsman Remulla allegedly alluded to Romualdez’s role in the scandal.
- Legal Argument: “These statements give rise to the reasonable impression that the Honorable Ombudsman has already resolved to prosecute our client for plunder,” the letter stated.
- Call for Independence: The defense team is requesting that an independent body take over the investigation to ensure the proceedings meet “high standards of objectivity and fairness.”
Earlier this week, Romualdez urged the Ombudsman to stop “singling him out” and to pursue other leads in the expansive investigation.
- Refuting Narrative: Romualdez has vowed not to be made a “scapegoat” for the systemic corruption within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
- Fabricated Claims: He accused his political rivals of engineering “fabricated narratives” to exploit his recent silence on the matter.
- Assertive Defense: The former speaker’s legal team emphasized that their request for inhibition is not a challenge to the office’s integrity but a necessary step to protect the rights of their client.
The bid for disqualification comes as the legal pressure on the Leyte representative intensifies:
- Precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO): On Wednesday, the Sandiganbayan issued a PHDO against Romualdez, effectively barring him from leaving the country while the Ombudsman finalizes the plunder charges.
- Trillion-Peso Scope: The investigation into the flood control scandal has sent shockwaves through the political establishment, with multiple witnesses—including former DPWH aides—testifying about “boxes and suitcases” of cash delivered to various officials.
As of Friday morning, the Office of the Ombudsman has not issued a formal response to the disqualification request. Historically, the anti-graft body has maintained its mandate to investigate any public official regardless of their status or political affiliation, provided there is a “reasonable ground” for a probe.
The standoff between Romualdez and the Ombudsman marks a significant friction point in the current administration’s anti-corruption drive. Analysts suggest that the outcome of this inhibition request will be a “litmus test” for the independence of the country’s premier anti-graft agency amidst a shifting political landscape and the approach of the next election cycle.