Martin Romualdez, a lawmaker and cousin of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges of plunder. The charges allege he amassed $118 million in kickbacks from government flood-control projects.
Romualdez, who previously served as House speaker from 2022 to 2025, denied any wrongdoing in connection with the alleged illicit payments related to flood control projects awarded between 2022 and 2025. His lawyer, Ade Fajardo, stated that Romualdez would face the allegations in court and would not seek special treatment.
The anti-graft court, Sandiganbayan, issued an arrest warrant for Romualdez on September 7, after the Office of the Ombudsman accused him of accumulating approximately 7.4 billion pesos (about $118.21 million) through commissions, commitment fees, bribes, and other illicit payments. The court also ordered his transfer from a hospital to a regular jail on September 14, after medical experts testified that his heart attack risk was low and he did not require continued hospital confinement.
The charges come two months after President Marcos Jr. publicly vowed to intensify his anti-corruption campaign, emphasizing that he was "not the president of my family" and "not the president of my friends." This statement was seen as a commitment to pursue corruption cases regardless of the individuals involved. Romualdez's co-accused, including former House appropriations committee chair Zaldy Co, are also facing charges in the non-bailable case.
The Ombudsman's investigation found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction against Romualdez, alleging that he used his position and relationship with Co to influence the national budget and divert public funds. They claim nearly $5 billion of the ill-gotten wealth was used to establish shell companies and acquire properties.
