CALLING former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez a “mastermind” while the preliminary investigation is still ongoing raises concerns of prejudgment before the evidence has been fully evaluated, his lawyer and spokesperson, Atty. Ade Fajardo, said Tuesday.
Fajardo said such a label could create the impression that a conclusion had already been reached even before the Office of the Ombudsman completes its evaluation of the evidence and Romualdez’s defense.
Romualdez’s lawyers had asked Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to inhibit from the case in an April 22 letter, citing his public statements on the investigation. The defense maintained that such statements, including repeated references to prosecution, created an appearance of prejudgment.
In a statement, Fajardo said: “Well, sa amin pong appreciation, at kami ay nangangamba na dahil sa maraming mga pampublikong posisyon ng kasalukuyang Ombudsman ay parang na-prejudge na, or parang meron nang konklusyon na nabuo, at hinahabol ang ebidensiya para lang masuportahan ‘yung…legal conclusion na sa amin namang palagay ay wala nga.”
A preliminary investigation determines whether there is sufficient basis to bring charges before a court.
Fajardo said public accusations should not get ahead of that process, particularly while witness accounts are changing and additional evidence has yet to be furnished to the defense.
“Ang naging problema namin diyan kasi nga at this stage po ng investigation, ang hinihiling po ng ating mga alituntunin at ng ating batas at mismong Saligang Batas ay fairness and impartiality,” Fajardo said.
He said derogatory labels could shape public opinion even before investigators have resolved conflicting statements and examined the complete record.
“Ang tawag namin po diyan ay prejudicial, at in effect parang ginagatungan ‘yung anumang kaisipan,” he said.
Fajardo urged the Ombudsman to resolve the complaints based on evidence properly disclosed and weighed during the proceedings, rather than on labels made public while the investigation remains pending.
metrosundaily
