Romualdez camp: 90-day suspension not a finding of guilt; allegations remain unproven

THE camp of former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez of Leyte on Wednesday stressed that his 90-day preventive suspension does not constitute a finding of guilt, pointing out that the Sandiganbayan itself acknowledged that his alleged participation in plunder and receipt of supposed kickbacks remain matters to be established during trial.

Atty. Ade Fajardo, counsel for Romualdez, said the November 10 resolution merely determined that the criminal information was legally sufficient and that preventive suspension was mandatory under the law.

“The court has not found Martin guilty of plunder. It has not established that he received a single peso in illegal commissions or kickbacks,” Fajardo said in a statement.

In its resolution, the Sandiganbayan Third Division expressly stated that the particular acts attributable to Romualdez, his degree of participation, and the specific transactions through which he allegedly received kickbacks or commissions “are matters to be threshed out and established during trial.”

Fajardo emphasized that the court’s ruling on the validity of the Information should not be mistaken for proof of the accusations.

“An allegation is not evidence. A valid information is not a conviction. The prosecution must still prove its case beyond reasonable doubt,” he said.

The defense also pointed out that Romualdez is already detained and unable to exercise the ordinary powers of his congressional office.

While the Sandiganbayan ruled that preventive suspension remains mandatory despite his detention, it made no specific finding that Romualdez had intimidated witnesses, tampered with evidence, or obstructed the proceedings.

Fajardo said Romualdez respects the court’s ruling and will evaluate available legal remedies while continuing to assert his innocence.

“Hindi hatol ng pagkakasala ang suspension. Mismong korte ang nagsabing kailangan pang patunayan ang mga paratang. Hindi sapat ang akusasyon—kailangan ng ebidensya,” Fajardo said.

He stressed that the burden remains on the prosecution to prove the allegations against the former Speaker.