Ex-House Speaker insists conscience is clear

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez strongly denied any involvement in alleged national budget manipulations as well as the controversial flood control projects, insisting “my conscience remains clear”.

Romualdez is willing to undergo investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman as recommended by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), according to his lawyer Atty. Ade Fajardo.

In a statement read by Atty. Fajardo, Romualdez said, “I willingly submitted myself to the ICI fact-finding process, appeared voluntarily, and remained in the country.”

“Throughout these proceedings, no sworn or credible evidence has ever linked me to any irregularity, and again, my conscience remains clear,” he added.

Romualdez hopes the Sandiganbayan will be impartial and thorough in the trial.

“I do so with confidence that a fair and complete assessment of the record will reflect the truth,” the lawmaker from Leyte said.

Atty. Fajardo said Romualdez will continue to attend the sessions of the House of Representatives.

Earlier, the ICI and DPWH recommended filing plunder, graft and direct bribery charges against Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.