The Department of Justice (DOJ) denied reports that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was being considered as a state witness.
‘Former Speaker Martin Romualdez has not filed an application for state witness with the DOJ,’ the department said in a statement,
It said there was “no factual or legal basis” for the move, and that the public should be wary of false and misleading information intended to confuse.
To become a state witness, a person must apply to the DOJ’s witness protection program, which then determines if the applicant meets the qualifications.
‘We remind the public to rely on verified and official information coming from the DOJ exclusively,’ the department said. ‘The Department of Justice remains firm and steadfast in our commitment to uphold the rule of law, guided by facts – not politics.’
Romualdez’s name surfaced in connection with the scandal after Orly Guteza, a former security aide of resigned congressman Zaldy Co, alleged he had delivered suitcases of cash to the former Speaker. Guteza’s credibility, however, has since been questioned after the lawyer who purportedly notarized his affidavit denied signing the document.
Witness protection applications. Several figures implicated in the flood control scandal have applied for witness protection. They include retired undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, Henry Alcantara, and Brice Hernandez.
Government contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya have also applied, althrough they have recently hesitated to cooperate in the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s investigations after doubting their chances of becoming state witnesses.