ICI referral on Romualdez stops short of assuming wrongdoing

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure last week turned over documents to the Office of the Ombudsman related to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez's role in anomalous flood control projects, but stopped short of saying which laws the president's cousin had possibly violated.

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President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Martin Romualdez on July 20, 2024

(STAR / KJ Rosales)

The two-page referral, submitted last Friday, November 21, includes Romualdez's affidavit dated October 13, the stenographic transcript of his October 14 appearance before the commission, and related audio and video recordings.

The document states it is "issued without any finding or conclusion of guilt or liability on the part of Former Speaker Romualdez."

It says the referral is transmitted "solely to ensure that all acts, omissions, and surrounding circumstances properly falling within the Ombudsman's constitutional and statutory authority" are investigated.

Cautious approach. The wording of this referral stands out from the commission's previous submissions to the Ombudsman, which had all outlined possible charges or laws violated, such as graft, malversation, and falsification.

While the ICI has always made it clear in its reports that it does not determine guilt or assign liability, its referrals to the Ombudsman usually noted which laws might have been violated and the specific actions by officials or contractors that could have led to wrongdoing.