Defense counsel for former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has rejected assertions by the Office of the Ombudsman that witness recantations strengthen the case against the former lawmaker regarding alleged flood-control project anomalies.
Atty. Ade Fajardo, spokesperson for Romualdez and former national president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), disputed Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano’s position that recantations act as “additional evidence” alongside initial statements.
“Calling recantations ‘additional evidence’ does not make the case stronger,” Fajardo stated, arguing that conflicting statements severely undermine witness credibility rather than shore up allegations.
The defense statement comes after key witnesses, including Orly Guteza and several members of the so-called “Maleta Boys,” withdrew previous claims that they delivered cash-filled suitcases to properties linked to Romualdez. Additionally, Romualdez’s supplemental counter-affidavit submitted on August 20 included 25 sworn statements from security aides and drivers denying any involvement in unlawful cash deliveries.
Fajardo urged the Ombudsman to evaluate the full record objectively and dismiss the complaints due to lack of credible evidence directly linking Romualdez to any wrongdoing, emphasizing that “mere characterization of recantations as new evidence” cannot substitute for solid, independent proof.
Romualdez has consistently denied all accusations, maintaining that the complaints are baseless and calling for a resolution founded strictly on due process.