A prominent Philippine lawmaker and former speaker of the House of Representatives was arrested on Monday amid a massive investigation into corruption involving flood control projects. Rep. Martin Romualdez, who is a cousin and former ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., faces plunder charges at the Sandiganbayan, the country's anti-graft court. He was taken into custody alongside three other individuals as part of an expanding probe into government infrastructure spending.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, whose office initiated the charges, stated during a news conference that the case centers on 7.4 billion pesos, equivalent to approximately $118 million, which was purportedly divided through various transactions. Authorities have placed nearly 10,000 flood control projects under scrutiny, totaling more than 545 billion pesos, or $9 billion, since President Marcos assumed office in mid-2022. Many of these projects have been flagged for being substandard, overpriced, or never constructed at all, despite the Philippines being a nation frequently struck by approximately 20 destructive typhoons annually.
Following his arrest, Romualdez was transported to a Manila hospital on Monday afternoon after experiencing an anxiety attack and unstable blood pressure, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla. The Interior Secretary, who accompanied the national police chief to serve the warrant, stated that Romualdez will be transferred to a jail facility once medical professionals confirm he is fit for release. "We assure you he cannot hide behind his wealth. No matter how wealthy he is, he cannot pay the law for him to be allowed to sleep here in a nice place," Remulla said.
The investigation has implicated several high-ranking figures. Former Rep. Zaldy Co, the former head of the House appropriations committee, has been labeled a fugitive after fleeing to Europe. Additionally, an incumbent senator, a former senator, various ex-government engineers, public works officials, and wealthy construction executives have been detained. Ombudsman Remulla alleged that the suspects attempted to launder the stolen funds by purchasing multiple houses and even donating $1 million to Harvard University. He noted that this is only the beginning, with further plunder and money laundering charges expected.
President Marcos has publicly labeled the scale of the corruption as “horrible" and established an independent commission to investigate the matter. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed on Monday that the President remains committed to his stance that no one, including relatives, will be spared from legal accountability. Romualdez has previously denied any wrongdoing.
Related Articles
Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.