Ombudsman files plunder and graft complaint against Romualdez

On April 20, 2026, the Office of the Ombudsman filed a formal complaint against former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for plunder under Republic Act 7080 and for violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in connection with the flood control kickback scheme. The complaint alleged that Romualdez had received approximately P56 billion in kickbacks over the course of the scheme. It drew on the sworn testimony of Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and Independent Commission on Infrastructure witnesses, including the September 25, 2025 Guteza testimony and the February 24, 2026 Club Filipino corroboration by eighteen former Marines. The filing was followed two days later by the Sandiganbayan's precautionary hold-departure order (SB26PHDO0002) and the next day by an Anti-Money Laundering Council freeze order covering personal accounts and policies tied to Romualdez. Preliminary investigation proceedings before the Ombudsman began the following week.