Jamaine Punzalan

Then Speaker Martin Romualdez delivers a speech, September 17, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178548088539420250917-house-of-rep-romualdez-steps-down-MT18.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Then Speaker Martin Romualdez delivers a speech, September 17, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Leyte First District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez scored Friday the Office of the Ombudsman’s reported plan to use the testimonies of eight of 18 former bodyguards of former lawmaker  Zaldy Co in the case being prepared against him.</p><p>Romualdez noted that <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/29/doj-18-maleta-boys-to-be-charged-with-10-cyberlibel-perjury-cases-1410">cyberlibel at perjury complaints </a>were filed this week against the 18 individuals who claimed to have delivered suitcases of cash to former and current government officials.  </p><p>“Pantay na hustisya lamang ang hinihingi ko. But  the Ombudsman is using witnesses he himself and now the DOJ have already publicly discredited -- and who are now facing cyberlibel and perjury charges,” Romualdez said. </p><p>“Ito ba ang patas na imbestigasyon?” he added. “Mga testigong ibinasura na, kinasuhan pa ng cyberlibel at perjury — gagamitin pa rin para lang ituro ako at ako lamang.” </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/30/doj-says-it-is-up-to-rtcs-to-issue-arrest-warrants-vs-18-maleta-boys-and-lawyer-1635">DOJ says up to courts to issue arrest warrants vs 18 &#x27;maleta boys, lawyer&#x27;</a></div><p>Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said this month that investigators “seem to find” the eight alleged bagmen’s narration of supposed deliveries for Romualdez and Co “categorical and consistent.”</p><p>“The investigators have been able to study the body language, the demeanor of the affiance, and they are of the opinion that we can use it,” Clavano added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/2/-ex-co-bodyguards-testimonies-to-be-used-in-case-vs-romualdez-ombudsman-1556">Ombudsman to use testimonies of 8 ex-Co bodyguards in case vs Romualdez</a></div><p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/27/marcos-says-multiple-charges-vs-romualdez-to-be-filed-soon-1621">multiple charges would be soon filed against Romualdez, his cousin.</a></p><p>Romualdez has denied any wrongdoing and maintained on Friday: “Hindi ako uurong sa laban na ito. Hindi ako matitinag.” </p><p>“Gawin natin ang tama,” he added. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/24/ombudsman-seeks-preliminary-probe-vs-romualdez-co-for-plunder-money-laundering-1240">Ombudsman panel seeks preliminary probe vs Romualdez, Co for plunder, bribery, money laundering </a></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZzEL7PvqQNc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q9vVIDdPCQM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Leyte First District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez scored Friday the Office of the Ombudsman’s reported plan to use the testimonies of eight of 18 former bodyguards of former lawmaker Zaldy Co in the case being prepared against him.</p>

Leyte First District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez scored Friday the Office of the Ombudsman’s reported plan to use the testimonies of eight of 18 former bodyguards of former lawmaker Zaldy Co in the case being prepared against him.

‘Ito ba ang patas?’: Romualdez questions use of ‘publicly discredited’ bagmen’s claims

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‘Ito ba ang patas?’: Romualdez questions use of ‘publicly discredited’ bagmen’s claims

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 31, 2026 02:58 PM PHT

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Romualdez

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