A political strategist warned that the arrest of Martin Romualdez could pull Pres. Bongbong Marcos into controversy
Political strategist Lito Banayo said that former Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez might implicate his cousin, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., in the flood control scandal.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed a plunder case against Romualdez, but the arrest warrant was served on him at the hospital.
His mugshot, released by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in which he was lying on his hospital bed and the uniform for persons deprived of liberty was just placed on top of him, garnered negative comments from the online community.
Following his arrest, the administration of Pres. Marcos, through Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, stated that evidence must prevail on this matter, despite Romualdez’s blood relation to the President.
During an interview on the Bilyonaryo News Channel program, At the Forefront, Banayo made a strong statement that Cong. Martin Romualdez might eventually involve Pres. Bongbong Marcos in the plunder controversy.
“I’m speculating here – but Martin Romualdez can always say, I was doing this upon the orders of the President. And since it’s only him and the President, it’s his word against the President,” the political strategist said.
Banayo also said, “The suspicion… it’s very difficult for the people to believe that you are the Speaker, you are cousins, that you can do things with impunity without informing the President.”
It will be recalled that Romualdez stated in a video message last April that he would not allow himself to become a “scapegoat” while those truly liable got off scot-free.
“If this is a political play to push me out and close the story while tarnishing my name and reputation, then I am telling everyone now: I will not go quietly, and I will not go alone. I will not be the fall guy for other people’s corruption,” Martin Romualdez stated back then.
