MANILA, Philippines – Naniniwala si Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco na matagal nang dapat kinasuhan ng Ombudsman si dating House Speaker at Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.
Ito ay matapos magsampa ang Ombudsman ng P7.4 bilyong plunder case laban kay Romualdez at iba pa sa Sandiganbayan nitong Lunes, na ayon kay Tiangco ay mahalagang hakbang upang mapanagot ang mga nasa likod ng mga anomalya sa flood control projects.
“Matagal na nating hinihintay ito. Matagal na nating sinasabi: Hindi ito kayang gawin ng mga taga-DPWH at mga contractor lamang. The corruption of our flood control budget required power, influence, and the cooperation of people at the highest levels. That is why we have consistently called for the investigation of everyone involved—including the former Speaker.”
Pinuri rin ni Tiangco si Ombudsman Boying Remulla at ang kanyang tanggapan dahil hindi umano nanaig ang pera, kapangyarihan at impluwensiyang pulitikal sa kanilang imbestigasyon.
“I commend Ombudsman Boying Remulla and the entire team of the Office of the Ombudsman for not allowing money, power, or political influence to stand in the way of their investigation. But the President’s campaign against corruption will ultimately be judged not by the number of arrests, but by whether everyone responsible—regardless of position, power, or political connection—is investigated, prosecuted, and, if proven guilty, held accountable.”
Iginiit naman ni Tiangco na hindi dapat pili lamang ang mananagot sa anomalya.
“Hindi puwedeng pili lang ang mananagot. Walang small fish o big fish. Kaibigan, kalaban, o kamag-anak—walang dapat palampasin pagdating sa pera ng bayan. Follow the evidence wherever it leads.”
Ayon pa sa mambabatas, dapat magsilbing babala sa mga opisyal ng gobyerno ang plunder case laban kay Romualdez.
“This should also serve as a stern warning to everyone in government: Plunder is among the gravest offenses against the Filipino people and is non-bailable. The arrest is the first step. The wheels of justice are moving. The destination: FULL ACCOUNTABILITY.”
Nanawagan din siya sa publiko na manatiling mapagmatyag hanggang mapanagot ang lahat ng sangkot sa flood control anomalies.
“At sa ating mga kababayan: Huwag tayong tumigil sa pagbabantay. Siguradong gagamitin pa rin ang pera, kapangyarihan, at impluwensya para makalusot sa pananagutan. We must continue to demand accountability until every peso stolen from the Filipino people is recovered and everyone proven responsible is brought to justice.”
Sa ngayon, wala pa ring pahayag ang kampo ni Romualdez kaugnay ng plunder case na inihain ng Ombudsman sa Sandiganbayan. Meliza Maluntag
