Philippines – The country’s flood control scandal reached a new high point on Monday, September 7, 2026, when the Office of the Ombudsman filed a plunder case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez before the Sandiganbayan. Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., now stands as one of the highest-ranking officials to be charged in the multi-billion-peso mess.
Based on a report, the Ombudsman tagged the former speaker as the “central figure” in the alleged diversion of public money meant for flood control projects. Investigators pegged the anomalous projects at a staggering P56 billion.
Who Else Faces Charges
Romualdez is not alone in the complaint. The plunder case also names:
- Former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co
- Private individual Joselyn Serenio
- Private individual Felicito Guevarra
The Money Trail
The Ombudsman claims Romualdez pocketed at least P7.44 billion in kickbacks, collected on 15 or more occasions between 2022 and 2025. Investigators say he imposed a P2-billion monthly quota on Co, whose staff allegedly delivered the cash to properties tied to the former speaker.
From there, the trail gets deeper. Nearly P5 billion of the alleged kickbacks reportedly went into shell companies used to move and hide the money. Among the assets linked to Romualdez is a P1.5-billion property in Forbes Park, Makati. Serenio, according to the complaint, received the cash deliveries, while Guevarra allegedly helped convert the funds into foreign currency.
Mounting Pressure
The plunder filing is only the latest blow against the once-powerful lawmaker. Over the past months, he has faced a series of setbacks:
- A hold departure order that bars him from leaving the Philippines
- The freezing of his assets by the Court of Appeals in April
- The cancellation of his US diplomatic and tourist visas
For many Filipinos working abroad who send hard-earned money home, stories like this hit close. Flood control funds are meant to protect the families and communities you support from disaster. Seeing billions allegedly siphoned off is a painful reminder of why accountability matters.
What Happens Next
Through his lawyer, Romualdez said he respects the courts and will answer the allegations through due process. His camp stressed that guilt must be proven by evidence in court, adding that he asks only for the same fair hearing given to every Filipino.
The case now rests with the Sandiganbayan, and we will keep you updated as it moves forward.