Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco challenged the administration to prove that its anti-corruption campaign applies to all, following Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano’s latest statement that the case against former Speaker Martin Romualdez continues to gain strength.
According to Clavano, the Ombudsman’s case against former Speaker Martin Romualdez continues to grow stronger with the addition of new witnesses.
Among those expected to bolster the case are former Public Works Secretary Manny Bonoan, whose testimony is expected to help establish the circumstances surrounding the implementation of the flood control projects, as well as several former bodyguards of former Appropriations Committee Chairman Zaldy Co, whose statements, according to Clavano, are consistent with other evidence already gathered by investigators. Clavano has likewise publicly identified Romualdez as the alleged “mastermind” in the flood control anomaly now under investigation.
For Tiangco, these developments leave the administration with an opportunity to demonstrate that its campaign against corruption is impartial.
“Kung talagang walang kinalaman ang administrasyon sa mga katiwaliang ito, dapat mas pursigido rin itong papanagutin ang mga kakampi o maging kamag-anak na pinagsamantalahan umano ang kanilang pagiging malapit sa administrasyon upang nakawan ang mamamayan.
“Mismong ang Office of the Ombudsman ang nagsasabing lalo pang lumalakas ang kaso at gagamitin pa ang mga testimonya ng mga dating bodyguard ni Zaldy Co upang higit pang patibayin ito. Kung ganoon, dapat mas lalo pang ipakita ng administrasyon na walang sinuman ang untouchable.
“Dapat managot ang tunay na may pakana at umano’y ‘mastermind’ sa pinakamalaking corruption scandal sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa. Higit sa lahat, dapat maibalik ang perang ninakaw sa taong bayan.
“Panahon na ring patunayan ng administrasyon na hindi ito natitinag sa mga banta ni Romualedez, gaya ng, ‘I will not go down alone.'”
Tiangco reiterated that accountability should not stop with those allegedly involved in carrying out the scheme but must extend to whoever planned, directed, or benefited from it. He stressed that recovering public funds and holding every responsible individual accountable—regardless of political affiliation—is the true measure of the government’s commitment to fighting corruption.
“The Filipino people deserve nothing less than equal justice under the law. Hindi pwedeng maliit na isda lang ang nakukulong at hindi makulong ang mastermind,” Tiangco said.
