Marcos hands-off on cousin Romualdez’s case

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) and his cousin, former Speaker Martin Romualdez. — File photos MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not interfere in the Office of the Ombudsman’s planned filing of charges against his cousin, former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez over his alleged links to the multibillion-peso flood control scandal, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Monday. At a Palace briefing, Castro said the President has taken a hands-off approach whoever is being investigated in the flood control mess that he ordered investigated during his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) in 2025. READ: Martin Romualdez ‘ready’ to face Ombudsman charges, says his lawyer Article continues after this advertisement “No, the President will not interfere in any investigation. As we have said, and as the President himself has said, regardless of who may be affected by this, wherever the evidence leads, we should simply follow it,” Castro said. “So, whatever happens in any investigation regarding this, the President will not interfere and will accept the outcome.” READ: Tinio: Where are other ‘big fish’ in flood works investigation? Castro also responded to Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio’s criticism that the Marcos administration was engaging in “selective prosecution” in the investigation into the alleged multibillion-peso kickback scheme involving flood control projects. Tinio argued that the alleged “principal architects” of the anomalous projects have yet to be held accountable. Article continues after this advertisement In response, Castro said due process is being implemented for whoever is accused of involvement in the flood control mess. “If you were in the position of the people who have been pointed out but against whom no evidence has yet been presented, would you say that they should be imprisoned just to show that everyone must be held accountable? That is not how justice works in our country — due process,” she said. Article continues after this advertisement Castro recalled that the investigation in the corruption scandal began in late 2025, a few months after Marcos made the “Mahiya naman kayo” speech in his previous Sona. “Those who are not very familiar with people who appear in court or file cases may say that things are moving too slowly. But in reality, when you yourself are there and are the one filing a case, you will realize that what the Ombudsman and the DOJ are doing is already very fast,” she added. /dp Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.