Marcos Says Multiple Charges Against Romualdez to Be Filed Soon
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. opened his fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday by announcing that multiple charges would soon be filed against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, his cousin, in connection with the flood control corruption scandal.
According to the Ombudsman, Marcos told the millions of Filipinos tuned in to his penultimate SONA, the filing of a series of cases against the former Speaker is now imminent. He framed the decision as a matter of duty over family. Though it pained him, he said, the right thing had to be done, adding that he is not the president of his family or of his friends, but the president of the Philippines, with his obligation owed to his fellow Filipinos. The remarks drew loud applause from lawmakers and guests at the Batasang Pambansa.
A survey released ahead of the address had shown that Filipinos wanted Marcos to prioritise discussion of his anti-corruption efforts and of programmes to bring down the high prices of goods.
A year ago, Marcos thrust corruption in flood control and other infrastructure projects into the national spotlight with his famous “mahiya naman kayo!” (“shame on you”) line during his SONA. That was followed by a series of exposés that triggered large demonstrations across the country demanding accountability, multiple government investigations, and the filing of charges that led to the arrest of several personalities and politicians. Many, however, remain unsatisfied with the administration’s response to the largest corruption scandal to hit the country, as some of the so-called “big fish” linked to the scheme have yet to face formal charges.
In a statement following the SONA, Romualdez said he respects the president’s pronouncement. While it was painful for his family, he said, he respected the president’s statement and had never sought any favour or special treatment. He agreed that the right course was to follow the process and let the evidence speak, insisting he had done nothing unlawful and stood ready to prove it.
Turning Over Ill-Gotten Funds
Marcos assured the public that any ill-gotten funds recovered from the scandal would be turned over to the national treasury without delay. He said about ₱25 billion in assets linked to the controversy had been frozen and preserved, of which some ₱800 million had already been returned to state coffers. He said he was leaving the infrastructure probe in the hands of the Office of the Ombudsman and the national prosecution service, expressing faith in the courts and assuring the public that the wheels of justice were turning.
Beyond holding culprits to account, Marcos said the government was implementing reforms at the Department of Public Works and Highways. Every project, not only flood control works, he said, was now being reviewed to ensure it was genuinely necessary and sound, from planning and pricing through to implementation, with the new system designed to prevent overpricing. Each project and its allocated funds, he added, would be closely monitored through a transparency portal, an integrity chain, and partner civil society organisations.
Mixed Reactions
The president’s sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, was unimpressed by the update on Romualdez. She dismissed the announcement that the Ombudsman would soon file cases against the former Speaker as mere spin, saying it was striking how quickly cases could be filed against senators opposed to the administration while justice moved sluggishly when it came to approving and recommending verdicts against known government allies. She noted that others besides Romualdez were involved in widespread corruption.
Sen. Marcos, along with several senators from the minority bloc, skipped the SONA. Speaking earlier in the day, she said they felt aggrieved that members of the minority were being jailed and charged, and that she could not bring herself to attend.
Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro, by contrast, described the mention of Romualdez as simply “part of accountability mechanism” and as confirmation of the administration’s focus. Since the last SONA, she said, accountability had clearly been a priority, and the opening portion of this year’s address only underscored the attention the administration was giving it. Among the administration’s priorities, she said, was the filing of cases against officials involved in corruption.
