Palace won’t meddle in Romualdez’s legal battle over flood control mess

September 9, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

Malacañang will not meddle in the legal proceedings involving ex-Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez, who is facing plunder charges in connection with the flood control controversy.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro also declined to discuss the personal feelings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. about the charges involving his cousin.

“Sa ngayon walang pinag-uusapan tungkol sa hospital arrest, depende na po kasi iyan kung ano po ang magiging findings ng doktor,” Castro said.

She also brushed off speculation of special treatment for Romualdez, who was confined at a private hospital in San Juan City when he was arrested for plunder over the alleged misuse of P 7.4 billion in public funds amid the flood control mess.

“Ang kailangan lang po dito ay dapat mapanagot ang dapat na mapanagot. Hindi na po siguro makakaapekto kung anuman ang damdamin ng Pangulo – masaya, malungkot, anuman – hindi na po siya importante,” Castro said.

She also rejected insinuations that the President’s cousin was abandoned or “nilaglag” by the Marcos administration.

“Okay, hindi ko gusto iyong word na ‘nilaglag’… Dahil ito naman po, according to the Office of the Ombudsman, mayroon silang nakitang ebidensiya. So, walang dapat nilalaglag dito; kung ano lang iyong ebidensiya na nandidiyan, iyon lang – doon lang tayo bumase,” she said.