Politics · Philippines Bureau
Romualdez legal team questions charges without credible witness
The legal counsel for Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez challenged the basis for potential charges against the former House speaker, arguing that the Office of the Ombudsman should have no grounds to proceed without credible witness testimony.
LSN Philippines ·
Manila — Romualdez's legal team raised questions Thursday about the viability of charges against the lawmaker, contending that any prosecution would lack sufficient evidentiary support. Lawyer Ade Fajardo, serving as the congressman's spokesperson, stated in a written statement that there should be no justification for filing charges if the Ombudsman's office no longer possesses credible witness accounts to substantiate allegations against Romualdez. The remarks signal a defensive posture as the former House speaker faces potential action from the constitutional body tasked with investigating graft and corruption among public officials. Fajardo's assertion reflects a common legal argument in high-profile cases, where defense teams attempt to preempt charges by questioning the strength of evidence available to prosecutors. The statement underscores ongoing tensions surrounding the case, with Romualdez's camp maintaining that insufficient substantiation exists for any charges to move forward in court.