The Office of the Ombudsman is expected to file charges of plunder, graft, and direct bribery against former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, this was disclosed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA 2026).

A special panel of investigators from Ombudsman filed a supplemental complaint affidavit against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, and others for the conduct of a preliminary investigation.

The investigators alleged that Romualdez and Co conspired to amass ill-gotten wealth amounting to P56 billion from 2022 to 2025 through “transactions involving the diversion and misuse of public funds and the receipt of undue pecuniary benefits in connection with government dealings.”

In a statement following the Ombudsman’s announcement, Romualdez’s spokesperson, lawyer Elaine Atienza, reiterated that the lawmaker will face the allegations against him.

“Naniniwala kami na kung magkakaroon ng patas na laban at patas na paghuhusga batay sa ebidensya, mapapatunayan ni Rep. Romualdez ang kanyang panig,” Atienza said.

(We believe that if there is a fair trial and a fair judgment based on the evidence, Rep. Romualdez will be able to prove his side.)

“Hinihiling lamang namin sa publiko na hayaang manaig ang proseso at ebidensya ang magpasya,” she added.

(We are only asking the public to allow due process to prevail and let the evidence determine the outcome.)

The panel said the evidence also revealed that several corporate entities appear to have been utilized as conduits for the diversion and disposition of public funds through the abuse of public office and the use of dummies, nominees, and closely held corporations.

“These entities were used to acquire, hold, transfer, conceal, and obscure assets beneficially owned or controlled by Romualdez and his associates,” the investigators said.

They also impleaded more corporations and individuals.

“While Romualdez and Co exploited their official positions and influence over the national budget process to generate the illicit proceeds… Sereño, the Jane and John Does, and the other co-conspirators knowingly participated, by their individual acts, in the receipt, transport, delivery, concealment, and safekeeping of the enormous sums of cash generated,” the panel said.

“Although their participation varied in character and degree, their acts collectively enabled Romualdez to amass, accumulate, acquire, and conceal ill-gotten wealth, rendering each of them equally liable as conspirators,” it added.

The investigators cited the testimony of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

They said that without their public offices and influence, the commitments described by Bernardo and the deliveries of cash to properties associated with Romualdez could not have been generated.

Last week, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the Ombudsman is set to file complaints for preliminary investigation against Romualdez and Co.

“After a thorough and painstaking investigation, the Office of the Ombudsman is set to file two separate complaints for preliminary investigation against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Mr. Elizady Co, and several others,” he said.

During this period, Romualdez was the Speaker of the House of Representatives while Co was the chairperson of the House committee on appropriations.