Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez expressed confidence that the Ombudsman will be impartial in its review and evaluation of his alleged involvement in the anomalous flood control mess.

In a press release issued by his office on Friday, Romualdez reiterated that his "conscience remains clear".

“It’s now with the Ombudsman. I trust in the Ombudsman’s impartial and thorough review and evaluation. I do so with confidence that a fair and complete assessment of the record will reflect the truth,” he said.

Romualdez, who voluntarily appeared before the ICI during their previous fact-finding process, said there is no credible evidence links him to any wrongdoing,

“I willingly submitted myself to the ICI’s fact-finding process, appeared voluntarily, and remained in the country. Throughout all these proceedings, no sworn or credible evidence has ever linked me to any irregularity, and again, my conscience remains clear,” he added.

The statement of Romualdez came after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) submitted a joint referral report with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to the Ombudsman on Friday recommending charges against him and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.

In a video message posted in his Facebook account on the same day, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Romualdez and Co may face plunder, anti-graft or indirect bribery charges as all the information obtained by the ICI and the Department of Public Works and Highways against them will be referred to the Ombudsman for investigation and filing of appropriate cases. Robina Asido/DMS