Romualdez lawyer: No physical evidence links him to cash allegations

MANILA, Philippines — The complaint against former House speaker Martin Romualdez lacks any forensic or documentary evidence and relies entirely on shifting witness statements, his legal counsel and spokesperson, Ade Fajardo, said.

In a press conference on Thursday, August 20, Fajardo said that despite a months-long investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman, investigators have yielded no physical evidence directly tying Romualdez to the alleged cash deliveries.

He emphasized that while the Ombudsman possesses broad authority to summon records and witnesses, the case relies solely on oral testimony, calling it the most unreliable form of evidence due to how easily oral accounts can be manufactured.

“Only oral evidence or oral testimony na alam naman natin, ito iyong pinaka-unreliable,” Fajardo said.

(Only oral evidence or oral testimony, which we all know is the most unreliable.)

“That's why we have laws on perjury, libel, et cetera, kasi these things are easily manufactured,” he added.

Fajardo noted significant inconsistencies in the allegations, pointing out that several original witnesses have retracted their claims over time.

Prior to Guteza’s recantation, four of the original 18 "Maleta Boys" had previously withdrawn their allegations.

While some witnesses have recanted, others maintain their initial claims. Counter-allegations have surfaced asserting that millions of pesos were offered to induce retractions, accompanied by a flash drive submitted by counsel Levito Baligod.

However, Romualdez’s legal team firmly denied paying, influencing, or pressuring any witnesses.

“It should be dismissed kasi wala nang ebidensya maliban sa kuwento, at ang kuwento ay iba-iba; ang kuwento ay nababaliktad,” Fajardo said.

Guteza on August 19 also recanted his allegation that he delivered suitcases of cash to Romualdez.

According to Guteza, he was pressured by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor into testifying against Romualdez in exchange for money and an educational scholarship for Guteza’s child.

Following his recantation, Romualdez said that he would file a supplemental complaint-affidavit before the Ombudsman. For the Ombudsman’s part, there are still 28 individuals who can testify against Romualdez.

Both Marcoleta and Defensor are currently detained for plunder.

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