Ombudsman set to charge Romualdez over flood control scheme

September 7, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

The Office of the Ombudsman is expected to file charges against Leyte Rep. and former Speaker Martin Romualdez today in connection with the flood control controversy.

Ombudsman investigators earlier conducted a preliminary investigation into the plunder, bribery, graft, and money laundering complaint filed against Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, which alleged that they were central figures in the scheme to collect kickbacks from infrastructure projects.

Romualdez has denied the allegations, submitting affidavits of Co’s employees denying that there had been cash deliveries to him.

The Office of the Ombudsman’s Special Panel of Investigators (SPI) earlier alleged that Romualdez and Co conspired to manipulate the budget and masterminded the collection of P56 billion in kickbacks.

The SPI also alleged that Romualdez used a dummy to purchase a Forbes Park property supposedly to serve as a drop-off point and storage facility for the money.