Former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez is expected to testify in his plunder case, his lawyer Ade Fajardo says. Fajardo tells outlets that Romualdez plans to take the witness stand to defend himself in court over a P7.4 billion plunder charge linked to alleged involvement in a flood control project kickback scheme.
Fajardo made the remarks after pretrial proceedings at the Sandiganbayan, where the case is pending. He describes Romualdez as the “most important” witness for the defense and says the former Speaker wants to present his own account. The lawyer also indicates that Romualdez is likely to be listed as an actual witness as proceedings move forward.
Both reports focus on the defense’s intention for Romualdez to testify, but they differ slightly in emphasis: one centers on the likelihood of his testimony and the amount of the alleged plunder, while the other highlights that the remarks follow pretrial in the Sandiganbayan and frames Romualdez as a key witness for the defense.
