MANILA | Former Philippine House Speaker and incumbent Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a ₱7.4 billion plunder case alleging that he received kickbacks from flood control and other infrastructure projects, as the high-profile corruption case moved into court proceedings.
Romualdez entered his plea through videoconference from the New Quezon City Jail, where he is being detained. The Sandiganbayan Third Division is handling the case, which is non-bailable. His legal team has consistently denied the allegations and maintained that there is no credible evidence linking him to the alleged kickback scheme.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed the case on Sept. 7 against Romualdez and three other respondents: former Ako Bicol party-list lawmaker Zaldy Co, Romualdez’s former aide Joselyn Tragua Sereño, and businessman Felicito Cristobal Guevarra. The Ombudsman alleges that at least ₱7.4 billion in commissions, percentages, kickbacks and other financial benefits were received through transactions involving government-funded projects from 2022 to 2025.
The charges followed a year of investigations into alleged irregularities in the government’s flood control program. The controversy expanded after contractors testified before congressional investigations in 2025 and alleged that politicians and other officials demanded portions of project funds. Romualdez denied the accusations at the time, saying lawmakers approve budgets but do not implement or release funds for public works projects.
The alleged scheme involves a broader government flood control program that expanded substantially in recent years. According to the Associated Press, about ₱540 billion, or roughly $9 billion, was allocated for around 10,000 flood control projects beginning in mid-2022. Investigators have examined allegations that some projects were overpriced, poorly constructed or never completed.
The scandal has prompted investigations by the Ombudsman, Congress and other government bodies and has resulted in arrests and charges against several officials, contractors and other individuals. Former congressman Zaldy Co, one of Romualdez’s co-accused, is also facing arrest in connection with the case and has remained outside the Philippines, according to authorities.
Romualdez’s defense has disputed testimony from witnesses who previously accused him of receiving cash deliveries. His lawyers said in August that numerous witnesses had withdrawn or contradicted allegations against him and argued that the complaint should be dismissed.
The case has political significance because Romualdez, a cousin and former political ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., served as House speaker from 2022 until his resignation from the post in September 2025 amid the growing flood control controversy. He remains a member of the House representing Leyte’s first district.
President Marcos ordered investigations into alleged misuse of flood control funds after the controversy emerged and described the reported scale of irregularities as serious. The administration has since faced pressure to establish where billions of pesos allocated for flood protection projects went and whether government officials, contractors or other intermediaries benefited illegally.
Romualdez’s not-guilty plea does not determine the merits of the allegations. The prosecution will have to prove its case in court, while the former speaker is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
