📷: Former Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate
Former Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said Malacañang officials, including President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., should also be held accountable if the Ombudsman accepts the credibility of testimonies from the so‑called “Maleta Boys” against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
“At the very least, kung ‘yung mga testimonya ng witnesses na ito ay nagsabi na nagdala sila ng male‑maletang pera kay Speaker Romualdez, tinanggap ng Ombudsman bilang kapani‑paniwala, bakit hindi ito kapani‑paniwala sa mga opisyal ng Palasyo, kasama na si Presidente Marcos?” Zarate said in the program *Alab Analysis*.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano earlier confirmed that the statements of 18 former bodyguards of ex‑Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co formed the basis of the plunder case against Romualdez.
“Eighteen of them came out with statements that they have personally delivered money for Zaldy Co to former Speaker Martin Romualdez which is why the subject of this case is ₱7.4 billion. They are able to say because of the number of deliveries made, the total amount could have reached ₱56 billion. So these people, the 18, are able to account for ₱7.4 billion of the ₱56–57 billion,” Clavano said in an interview with Pia Hontiveros. # (RRN)
