The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has not made a finding of guilt or liability against former speaker Martin Romualdez in its referral to the Office of the Ombudsman.
According to the two-page referral received by the Ombudsman last Friday, the ICI said the transmittal was “made without prejudice to the Commission to accept or receive additional evidence, if any, concerning former Speaker Romualdez.”
“This Referral is issued without any finding or conclusion of guilt or liability on the part of Former Speaker Romualdez,” read the copy of the document the ICI released yesterday.
The ICI said the transmittal was “solely to ensure that all acts, omissions, and surrounding circumstances properly falling within the Ombudsman’s constitutional and statutory authority–particularly those involving high-ranking officials–are subjected to the processes under Article XI, Section 13 of the Constitution and Republic Act No. 6770.”
In a statement, lawyer Ade Fajardo — who serves as Romualdez’s lawyer and spokesperson — said they “acknowledge the Referral submitted by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to the Office of the Ombudsman on November 21 and welcome the Commission’s completion of its fact-gathering mandate.”
He emphasized that the former Speaker had been fully transparent throughout the process.
According to Fajardo, the Referral “incorporates all evidence presented by former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez—his sworn affidavit, complete transcripts, and the full audio-video recording of his voluntary appearance before the Commission last October 14.”
“The Commission underscores that referring the matter at this stage is intended to permit the Honorable Office of the Ombudsman to promptly and immediately undertake its own fact-finding inquiry, consistent with established principles of coordination and to avoid duplicative or fragmented investigations,” the ICI said.
It said the Ombudsman was better equipped to determine whether the circumstances warranted criminal or administrative accountability under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards, “as the constitutionally designated disciplinary authority over public officials.”
Fajardo said that they “trust that the Ombudsman will conduct an independent, thorough, and objective review of the evidence submitted.”
“From the outset, we have consistently maintained that a fair and complete assessment of the record will reflect the truth,” he said.
Fajardo’s remarks come as the Ombudsman begins its evaluation of the ICI’s full record, marking the next phase in the inquiry surrounding flood-control projects questioned in recent weeks.
