The Office of the Ombudsman orders Leyte Representative and former Speaker Martin Romualdez and his co-accused to respond to complaints alleging plunder, graft, and direct bribery, an Ombudsman official said Tuesday. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano, the Ombudsman spokesperson, made the announcement, stating that Romualdez is required to submit an answer to the allegations filed before the Ombudsman. The Inquirer report adds that Ombudsman investigators filed a supplemental complaint-affidavit on July 20, which supports the charges being pursued. The reports indicate the case is at the stage where the respondents are directed to answer the complaints, as part of the Ombudsman’s proceedings to determine whether there is sufficient basis to move forward. No additional details on the specific allegations or the identities of the co-accused beyond what is already stated in the reports are included in the provided accounts. The Ombudsman’s order reflects the procedural step of requiring the respondents to formally respond to the complaints and the supporting filings.