Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla alleges that the camp of Leyte Rep. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is behind the recantation of four former bodyguards who previously linked Romualdez to a flood control corruption controversy. Remulla says the recantation stems from influence from Romualdez’s side, and he signals that administrative or other actions may follow. In response, Romualdez denies any role in the bodyguards’ decision to retract their prior sworn statements, saying he is not being given a fair shake. He also accuses Remulla of showing prejudice and describes Remulla’s claim that he forced the recantation as untrue, characterizing the allegations against him as “false and trumped-up.”
The dispute centers on three of the four bodyguards’ recantations involving claims that money was delivered through what they described as “maleta” or suitcases. The bodyguards, who earlier claimed to be former bodyguards of Zaldy Co, have signed affidavits backing away from their earlier allegations that also involved Co and were said to extend to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Multiple outlets report that Co and Romualdez have denied wrongdoing amid the ongoing inquiry.
