Leyte 1st District Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is ready to face the preliminary investigation of the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged anomaly in flood control projects.

His lawyer, Atty. Ade Fajardo, assured that Rep. Romualdez will answer all accusations against him, and that his only request is due process and equal treatment in the investigation.

Atty. Fajardo also stressed that the lawmaker is not fleeing and remains in the country to continue performing his duties as representative of the 1st District of Leyte.

The former House Speaker's camp further insisted that there is no evidence linking him to the 2025 national budget aside from his signing of it, as well as to the implementation of the flood control projects.

They also questioned the credibility of the 18 alleged former bodyguards of ex-AKO Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, referred to as the "Maleta Boys," saying these witnesses have also faced a perjury case filed by the Department of Justice.

Fajardo added that the Ombudsman himself had said early on that the statements of the said witnesses carried a tinge of destabilization.

Rep. Romualdez's camp maintained that it is unfair for the investigation to focus on him alone, when more than twenty other lawmakers were also implicated in the statements of the "Maleta Boys."

Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman continues to conduct the preliminary investigation into complaints of plunder, graft, and bribery in connection with the alleged irregularities in the flood control projects.

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