Romualdez plunder case: Palace says evidence must prevail

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez MANILA, Philippines — The Palace said it respects the Ombudsman’s filing of a plunder case against former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, stressing that evidence must prevail. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on Monday that while she has not spoken with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. about the matter, he believes whoever should be held accountable must be held accountable. Romualdez is Marcos’ maternal first cousin. Article continues after this advertisement “As far as the president is concerned, whoever should be held accountable must be held accountable. Whoever they may be—whether a relative, friend, political ally, or political opponent—whatever the evidence shows should be brought to light,” Castro said. “It is now up to those who will be charged. If they have sufficient evidence to defend themselves, that is for them to present. And we respect the Ombudsman’s action because this falls within its mandate,” she added. Former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and two other co-accused were also charged in connection with alleged kickbacks amounting to more than P7 billion. READ: Martin Romualdez charged with plunder While Marcos wants everyone to be held accountable, Castro said the president likely does not feel good about what is happening to his cousin—just as Marcos said in his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona). Article continues after this advertisement “What we do know is that even when it comes to relatives, as the president has said and as we heard in his Sona, perhaps we can say from that that it does not feel good to see this happening. But when the evidence speaks loudly, it needs to be seen by the public,” Castro said. READ: Sona 2026: Marcos says cases vs Romualdez to proceed Article continues after this advertisement In his fifth Sona in July, Marcos addressed the Ombudsman’s announcement that cases would soon be filed against Romualdez. “We have reached a point when, according to the Ombudsman, the filing of multiple cases against the former House speaker will be done soon. This is painful for us, but we have to do what is right. I am not the president of my family. I am not the president of my friend,” Marcos said. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. “I am the president of the Philippines, and my duty is to you – my fellow Filipinos,” he added. /mcm