Quick Read
- The Ombudsman is finalizing plunder charges against Martin Romualdez and Chiz Escudero.
- The case centers on irregularities within the 2024 and 2025 national budgets for flood control.
- Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo is acting as a state witness in the ongoing investigation.
MANILA (Azat TV) – The Office of the Ombudsman announced on Monday that it is actively preparing to file plunder charges against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate President Chiz Escudero. The move marks a significant escalation in the government’s response to a multibillion-peso corruption scandal involving flood control infrastructure projects.
Legislative Accountability and the Flood Control Scandal
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed in a press conference that the agency is finalizing the legal documentation for the charges, which are expected to be formally filed in May 2026. According to the Ombudsman, the case is directly linked to irregularities discovered within the 2024 and 2025 national budget allocations for flood control initiatives. The investigation, which has drawn from findings by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways, centers on the alleged misuse of public funds intended for disaster mitigation.
The Role of Witness Testimony and Investigative Findings
The decision to pursue plunder—the most severe charge under Philippine anti-corruption law—follows months of scrutiny into the legislative process. Roberto Bernardo, a former undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, has reportedly provided evidence to the Ombudsman and is now serving as a state witness. His testimony is expected to be a cornerstone of the prosecution’s case, specifically regarding the procedural flaws that allowed for the alleged diversion of funds.
Previous legislative inquiries, including a 576-page minority report from the Senate, had already signaled potential culpability among top leadership. The report alleged that Romualdez was either complicit in the anomalies or demonstrated gross negligence in his oversight duties. Escudero’s involvement, meanwhile, has been linked to specific anomalies identified during the budget deliberation process. As of Monday, neither legislator has issued a formal statement regarding the pending charges.
The shift from investigative inquiry to the active filing of plunder charges signifies a pivotal moment for Philippine institutional integrity, as the legal system moves to challenge the political survival of the country’s most powerful legislative figures.