NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Romualdez Camp Questions Plan To Make Bonoan State Witness
FILE
The camp of former Speaker of the House and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez has raised concerns over the Office of the Ombudsman's plan to make former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan a state witness in the ongoing investigation into the alleged flood control fund scandal.
The reaction came after the Ombudsman announced that it would seek Bonoan's discharge as an accused so he could testify for the prosecution in cases related to the alleged misuse of flood control funds. The proposal, however, still requires the approval of the Sandiganbayan before Bonoan can formally become a state witness.
In a statement, Atty. Elaine Atienza, spokesperson and legal counsel for Romualdez, maintained that there is no evidence linking the former Speaker to the alleged anomalies.
According to Atienza, despite several investigations, no former or incumbent official of the DPWH has identified Romualdez as having any role in the planning, procurement, implementation, inspection, payment, or release of funds for the alleged ghost flood control projects.
She added that even Bonoan, who served as DPWH secretary and had firsthand knowledge of the department's operations, had never implicated Romualdez in the alleged irregularities.
“At the end of the day, justice demands only one standard. Sa paghahanap ng hustisya, hindi pwedeng mauna ang akusasyon bago ang ebidensya.”
The Office of the Ombudsman has said Bonoan's testimony is expected to play a key role in its investigation, citing his firsthand knowledge of the department's operations during his tenure. Ombudsman officials also said Bonoan's age and medical condition were among the factors considered in deciding to seek his discharge as a state witness.
The anti-graft body has entered into a cooperation agreement with Bonoan and is expected to ask the Sandiganbayan to approve his discharge, a legal requirement before he can formally testify for the prosecution.
Romualdez's camp, however, insisted that allegations alone should not be treated as proof of wrongdoing, stressing that no witness or documentary evidence has directly linked the former House Speaker to the alleged ghost flood control projects. The camp maintained that any accusation must be supported by credible evidence and due process.
The reaction came after the Ombudsman announced that it would seek Bonoan's discharge as an accused so he could testify for the prosecution in cases related to the alleged misuse of flood control funds. The proposal, however, still requires the approval of the Sandiganbayan before Bonoan can formally become a state witness.
In a statement, Atty. Elaine Atienza, spokesperson and legal counsel for Romualdez, maintained that there is no evidence linking the former Speaker to the alleged anomalies.
According to Atienza, despite several investigations, no former or incumbent official of the DPWH has identified Romualdez as having any role in the planning, procurement, implementation, inspection, payment, or release of funds for the alleged ghost flood control projects.
She added that even Bonoan, who served as DPWH secretary and had firsthand knowledge of the department's operations, had never implicated Romualdez in the alleged irregularities.
“At the end of the day, justice demands only one standard. Sa paghahanap ng hustisya, hindi pwedeng mauna ang akusasyon bago ang ebidensya.”
The Office of the Ombudsman has said Bonoan's testimony is expected to play a key role in its investigation, citing his firsthand knowledge of the department's operations during his tenure. Ombudsman officials also said Bonoan's age and medical condition were among the factors considered in deciding to seek his discharge as a state witness.
The anti-graft body has entered into a cooperation agreement with Bonoan and is expected to ask the Sandiganbayan to approve his discharge, a legal requirement before he can formally testify for the prosecution.
Romualdez's camp, however, insisted that allegations alone should not be treated as proof of wrongdoing, stressing that no witness or documentary evidence has directly linked the former House Speaker to the alleged ghost flood control projects. The camp maintained that any accusation must be supported by credible evidence and due process.
Jul 2, 2026
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