Martin Romualdez Ready to Face Court in High Profile Plunder Case
MARTIN ROMUALDEZ – A major development has emerged in the plunder case against former Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is expected to testify before the Sandiganbayan.
Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is set to testify in his plunder case before the Sandiganbayan as his defense prepares to present its evidence in court.
Romualdez’s lawyer, Ade Fajardo, confirmed that his client intends to take the witness stand and personally address the allegations filed against him. Fajardo described the former Speaker as the defense team’s most important witness during an ambush interview following the pretrial proceedings.
“Of course, the most important [witness] is the accused himself, Congressman Romualdez,” Fajardo said.
According to the lawyer, Romualdez wants to personally defend himself as the case progresses. He is expected to be formally included among the defense witnesses once it is their turn to present evidence before the anti-graft court.
“He wants to defend himself in court and he will most likely testify and is about to be listed as actual witness when it is the turn of defense to present its evidence,” he said.
Romualdez is currently facing a plunder case over allegations involving kickbacks worth P7.44 billion. On September 7, the Sandiganbayan issued arrest warrants for Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, and two other individuals in relation to the case.
According to prosecutors, the alleged amount was sourced from contractors, individuals, and companies linked to flood control, infrastructure, and other government projects financed through the General Appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2022 to 2025.
After his arrest, Romualdez spent several days in the hospital before being transferred to the New Quezon City Jail-Male Dormitory on September 14. He subsequently attended his arraignment via videoconference, where he pleaded not guilty to the plunder allegations.
Romualdez’s plan to take the witness stand is expected to form part of the defense’s evidence as the proceedings continue. His lawyer has also maintained that any determination of criminal liability should be based on evidence presented before the court and subject to the principles of due process.
The Sandiganbayan case remains pending, and the allegations against Romualdez have yet to be resolved through a final judgment.
READ ALSO: Martin Romualdez Asserts That He Is Innocent
