MANILA, Philippines (April 6, 2026) — In a major development involving the country’s former top legislative leaders, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Monday that his office is preparing to file plunder charges against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero.
In a major political development on April 6, 2026, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that his office is finalizing a multibillion-peso plunder case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate President Chiz Escudero. During a press conference, Remulla confirmed that the investigation into the ongoing "Flood Control Scandal" has uncovered a systemic conspiracy tied to the national budget process. This announcement marks a significant escalation in a broader anti-graft probe that has been gaining momentum since late 2025. The Ombudsman noted that his team has been "zealously preparing" the charges to ensure a strong case before the Sandiganbayan. A formal filing of the plunder charges is expected to occur within the month of May.
The allegations center on anomalous flood control projects that were reportedly funded through questionable insertions in the 2024 and 2025 national budgets. Investigators have pointed to a "money trail" and the "leadership principle" as key components of the evidence against the two former legislative heads. This probe has already led to malversation and graft charges against other high-profile figures, including resigned Representative Zaldy Co and Senator Bong Revilla Jr. Officials are specifically scrutinizing alleged "ghost" projects and substandard road dikes that were supposedly constructed in various provinces. The Ombudsman emphasized that the budgetary process itself was exploited to allow these multi-million-peso anomalies to flourish.
Both Romualdez and Escudero have consistently and firmly denied any involvement in the alleged kickback schemes or anomalous infrastructure projects. As of Monday afternoon, their respective offices have yet to issue fresh statements following the Ombudsman’s latest specific mention of plunder charges. Previously, Romualdez stated that his conscience remains clear and that he is fully prepared to cooperate with any lawful investigative process. Similarly, Escudero has maintained that his legislative actions were always within the bounds of the law and the public interest. The legal battle is expected to be one of the most high-profile corruption trials in recent Philippine history.
