The Office of the Ombudsman is marching again. But the question is, is this just another delaying tactic or a media hype that will result in nothing substantial?
I am referring to the announcement by Ombudsman Crispin Remulla, made during a press conference, that his Office will file plunder charges against former Speaker Martin Romualdez in May, 2026.
This announcement departs from a statement he made last year that the charge will simply be criminal negligence.
What accounts for the sudden change of stance?
Why did he assert with firm resolve that this time the charge will be plunder, a charge that is not bailable and could send the former Speaker to jail for a very long period?
Since we are talking of filing a charge, it is safe to assume that Ombudsman Remulla has seen and evaluated the evidence. What is this evidence that is so strong that it would make him turn around and announce without hesitation?
Later, the Deputy Ombudsman claimed that a former Assistant Secretary-General of the House of Representatives had presented evidence linking the former Speaker to corruption in the DPWH flood control projects. He supposedly delivered 1.6 billion pesos worth of public funds to former Speaker Romualdez.
This evidence, when linked with the previous evidence provided by DPWH officials, created a strong case that the Ombudsman will prosecute in the Sandiganbayan.
Last year, such a case would have been unimaginable, meaning no one would have filed it. There was just no evidence to support it.
What is really happening here? Is this another ploy to prevent a big revelation that will explode as the scandal of all scandals, since it is being touted as involving billions of pesos over 10 years, dating back to the previous administration? At a time when investigations and prosecutions seemed to have wound down to a halt, these explosive allegations by the Ombudsman certainly keep alive lingering hopes of unearthing corruption and putting the culprits in jail.
There could be strained relations between the President, the First Lady, and the Romulaldez family that more than meets the eye. Close and extended family ties are a cornerstone of Philippine culture. And the simmering turmoil could be serious; a major alter ego or representative of the President could not be so audacious as to inform all and sundry that, finally, Speaker Martin Romuadez (a first cousin of our President) will be charged with plunder, if the Ombudsman did not have the evidence needed to convict, which is a cornerstone of Ombudsman Remulla’s policy for the prosecution.
How will this affect Eastern Visayas, particularly the First District of Leyte? The result is a mix of negatives and positives.
On the positive side, it will open up the position of Representative of the First District to more than one credible candidate. In that way, the next election will be good for democracy. People will have several candidates to choose from.
Voters can look at the candidates' track records and achievements. Time to make intelligent choices.
Since 2028 will have national elections, not just local elections, the aspirants will have more resources at their disposal. This will perk up the economy and save the region from an otherwise dismal performance.
On the downside, the region's ability to secure funds for development projects will be severely curtailed. That would put a stop to the large number of billion-peso-funded projects in the first District and in other parts of Eastern Visayas.
Whatever happens in 2028 will be marked by the emergence of new political blood that will steadily continue to promote family aspirations in the local political arena.
As it is right now, it would very well be the start of the changing of the guard.
The House is crumbling. Can it sustain its foundations and survive the storm?
We could be in for surprises.
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