Atty. Elaine A. Atienza
FORMER Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez of Leyte has no plans to leave the country and will answer the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman once he is formally served, his spokesperson said Monday, rejecting insinuations that the lawmaker is evading the legal process.
In a statement, Atty. Elaine A. Atienza, spokesperson for Romualdez, said Romualdez remains in the Philippines and will face the proceedings before the Office of the Ombudsman once he is formally served with the complaint.
“We deny in the strongest possible way any insinuation that Rep. Romualdez has attempted to evade the legal process. Uulitin po namin: kailanman ay hindi nagtago si Rep. Romualdez,” Atienza said.
“Hinarap nya ang ICI, at haharapin nya ang Office of the Ombudsman. Siya po ay nasa bansa at mananatili sa bansa until such time that he will be able to clear his name.”
Atienza also emphasized that the Office of the Ombudsman itself made clear that the proceedings are only at the preliminary investigation stage and do not constitute a finding of liability.
“The Office of the Ombudsman itself made one thing unmistakably clear today: Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has not been convicted of any offense, no criminal case has been filed before the Sandiganbayan, and he has not yet even been given the opportunity to answer the allegations against him,” she said.
“The announcement pertains only to the commencement of a preliminary investigation, where respondents are afforded the opportunity to present their side, and where the constitutional presumption of innocence remains fully in force.”
Atienza said Romualdez has not yet been formally served with a copy of the complaint and will respond once he receives it.
“Rep. Romualdez has not yet been formally served with a copy of the complaint. Once we receive it, sasagot po kami nang buong-buo.”
She said the legal process should proceed on the basis of evidence rather than public accusations.
“Ang batas ay hindi sumusunod sa ingay ng akusasyon. Sumusunod ito sa bigat ng ebidensya.”
“We respect all legal processes. That is precisely why we believe this matter should be resolved where our laws require it to be resolved—in the proper legal forum, after both sides have been fully heard.”
Atienza said Romualdez remains confident he will be able to clear his name.
“We remain confident that once the facts are examined objectively and the evidence is tested under the law, Rep. Romualdez will be able to clear his name,” she said.
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