Ombudsman files plunder charges against Romualdez, Marcos cousin
The Philippine Ombudsman has lodged plunder charges against House Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, alleging he masterminded multi-billion-peso diversions of flood control funds from mid-2022 to 2025. The case, filed alongside co-accused fugitive former appropriations chair Elizaldy Co, was assigned to Sandiganbayan's 3rd Division, which will review whether to issue an arrest warrant. Plunder is non-bailable when ill-gotten wealth reaches at least P50 million. The filing is politically notable as the first major corruption charge against a Marcos ally since 1965 and may prompt further legal and legislative scrutiny.
Plunder charges could trigger an arrest warrant and legal trial.
Context
The Ombudsman filed charges after whistleblower testimony and budget insertion revelations. The Sandiganbayan third division will review the case and may issue an arrest warrant. Further hearings or charges could follow based on the review.
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