Blue Ribbon won’t recommend preliminary probe vs Romualdez

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Blue Ribbon committee will not recommend a preliminary investigation of former speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez in its revised partial report on the flood control controversy, opting instead to pursue further evidence against President Marcos’ cousin.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, who chairs the committee, said yesterday that while other persons will be recommended for preliminary investigation, Romualdez will not be included in the same category due to insufficient proof directly linking the former speaker to the alleged irregularities.

“In the case of speaker Romualdez, he is not being recommended for preliminary investigation because there is no validation or corroboration, unlike in the case of the others,” Lacson told radio dzBB in Filipino.

He explained that the panel’s recommendation for the former House leader is limited to continuing fact-finding efforts and building a possible case, including financial scrutiny.

“The recommendation is to pursue the evidence gathered toward a possible preliminary investigation. But we’re not there yet. So it’s more on fact-finding or case build-up, and we also recommended that the AMLC conduct tracking of account movements,” he added.

Lacson said the committee’s action against Romualdez remains anchored solely on the statements of controversial witness Orly Guteza.

He noted, however, that Romualdez’s status under the committee recommendations could change in the final report.

“If in the course of the hearings there is validation or corroboration linking former speaker Romualdez, that could be changed in the Blue Ribbon’s final report. He could then be included among those to be recommended for preliminary investigation,” he said.

Guteza, who was presented during a Blue Ribbon hearing last year by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, claimed he personally delivered suitcases of cash to the residences of Romualdez and former Ako Bicol congressman Zaldy Co in connection with the alleged flood control anomaly.

Both Romualdez and Co have denied the allegations. Questions have been raised about Guteza’s affidavit, which the former Marine has yet to address as he remains missing.

During the Blue Ribbon’s flood control hearing last month, two witnesses were presented in an apparent effort to establish a link between contractor Curlee Discaya and Romualdez.

The witnesses testified that Discaya oversaw their move-out from a Forbes Park property he allegedly claimed had been bought by Romualdez – an account the contractor denied.

The property may be among the subjects of the next Blue Ribbon hearings.

Lacson maintained that until corroborating evidence surfaces, the committee will limit its action to further evidence gathering rather than endorsing a formal preliminary investigation against the former speaker in its partial report.

The draft, which was leaked last week, drew scrutiny for excluding Romualdez despite allegations raised during previous hearings.

Revilla bid denied

Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan Third Division has denied former senator Ramon Revilla Jr.’s motion seeking the recusal of Associate Justice Karl Miranda in the malversation case involving the alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Bulacan.

In a seven-page ruling on Feb. 10, the anti-graft court said Revilla failed to present evidence of Miranda’s bias or partiality that would justify his voluntary inhibition.

Revilla sought Miranda’s recusal because the magistrate’s brother, Buenaventura Miranda, had served as legal counsel to former DPWH undersecretary Robert Bernardo during Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearings on the flood control controversy. — Daphne Galvez