Former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has rejected Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s allegations that his camp orchestrated the recantation of four former Marines who previously accused him and other top officials of corruption.
Expressing deep disappointment, Romualdez maintained that he had no hand in the decision made by the former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to withdraw their earlier statements regarding alleged bribery and cash deliveries.
“The Ombudsman’s accusation that I am behind the recantations of the former Marines is absolutely not true,” Romualdez said.
“This shows how extremely prejudiced he is against me,” he added.
In newly notarized affidavits, the four former Marines formally retracted their previous claims linking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Romualdez, Co and other personalities to illicit cash transfers.
The witnesses alleged they were originally recruited by their legal handler, Atty. Levito Baligod, with promises of substantial financial rewards. One of the recanting witnesses, Rosebert Macasasa Waupan, stated they were promised enough money to support their families for two years. The former Marines claimed they were previously coerced into signing pre-drafted affidavits under threats of countercharges.
The Leyte congressman argued that the sudden recantations validate his stance that the initial accusations were entirely fabricated. He criticized Remulla for what he characterized as unfair treatment and unsubstantiated claims.
“Hindi ganito ang patas na paghahanap ng katotohanan,” he stressed.
Reiterating his commitment to legal self-defense, Romualdez said, “I will not be intimidated. I will face every accusation against me, defend myself with the facts, the evidence, and the truth.”