BONOAN NEVER NAMED ROMUALDEZ IN FLOOD CONTROL SCANDAL— ROMUALDEZ

by EVMWN

TACLOBAN CITY – Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan has never named *former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez* in connection with flood control irregularities, the Leyte congressman’s office said Thursday. 

“Not Guilty? Bonoan Is the Most Involved” 

Atty. Ade Fajardo, spokesman for Rep. Romualdez, said Bonoan is the official who was “deeply involved” in flood control projects during his tenure at the Department of Public Works and Highways. 

Fajardo described Bonoan as the *“most polluted,” “very biased,” and “not the least guilty” source. He also questioned why the Office of the Ombudsman is considering him as a state witness. 

_“In fact, the former DPWH chief should be the one returning P1 billion in alleged kickbacks from flood control projects to the national treasury,”_ Fajardo said, citing claims made by former DPWH Undersecretary-turned-state witness *Roberto Bernardo. 

“No Role in Funding, Selection, or Implementation”

Fajardo reiterated that Rep. Romualdez had no role in the funding, selection, or implementation of flood control projects. 

“That authority was under the executive branch,”_ he stressed. _“The former Speaker is ready to face whatever charges the Ombudsman may file, even without evidence.”

“Alarming” Shift in Bonoan’s Testimony, 

Fajardo expressed concern over reports that the Ombudsman intends to use Bonoan’s testimony to establish Romualdez’s supposed involvement. 

“It is very alarming. Even before these events, former Secretary Manuel Bonoan never mentioned Congressman Martin Romualdez,”_ he said. 

According to Fajardo, Bonoan’s submission to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI)* also contained no mention* of Romualdez’s supposed role. 

“Now, suddenly, without any case, evidence, or proof of his supposed role, his name is being dragged into it,”_ Fajardo said. 

He added that it took *more than a year* since the scandal broke before Bonoan was reportedly ready to name Romualdez. 

_“It is alarming that after a year, he is only mentioning it now — just to be discharged, given immunity, and avoid jail by saying the ‘magic words: Martin Romualdez,’”_ he said. 

“Return the P1 Billion”

Citing former Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Fajardo said Bonoan should be made to restitute the alleged P1 billion. 

_“This is not a good sign. Even Sen. Ping Lacson said at least P1 billion, as mentioned by former Usec. Bernardo, should be returned by former Sec. Bonoan to the national coffers,”_ he emphasized. 

“Speculation to Save His Skin”

Fajardo claimed Bonoan is *“speculating or guessing” about Romualdez’s role just to protect himself. 

He said linking Romualdez — a relative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr— is a move to create the narrative of a “big fish.” 

_“It’s all speculation, guesswork. It’s very convenient to blame former Speaker Romualdez because it’s common knowledge he is related to the sitting President,”_ he said. 

_“It looks like a popular position to take: name someone close to the President just to gain credibility for their ‘big fish’ claim,”_ Fajardo added. 

Romualdez Ready to Face Charges: 

Despite the allegations, Fajardo said Rep. Romualdez remains ready to face any charges, even as he maintains there is *no evidence linking him to the flood control anomalies.