A Philippine anti graft court on Monday ordered the arrest of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, over allegations that he received about $118 million in kickbacks linked to government flood control projects.
The Office of the Ombudsman accused Romualdez of amassing about 7.4 billion pesos ($118.21 million) through commissions, commitment fees, bribes and other illicit payments connected to flood control projects awarded between 2022 and 2025.
Romualdez, who served as House speaker from 2022 to 2025 and was a key ally of Marcos, has denied wrongdoing.
His lawyer, Ade Fajardo, said Romualdez would face the allegations in court and asked only for the same due process and fair hearing guaranteed to every Filipino.
The case comes as monsoon rains have inundated parts of the disaster prone country, intensifying public scrutiny of flood control projects and fuelling anger over alleged corruption.
The scandal has become a major embarrassment for Marcos. Last year, he said about 545 billion pesos ($8.71 billion) in flood control spending between 2022 and 2025 had been affected by alleged irregularities and ordered a comprehensive investigation.
Several senior officials have resigned or been dismissed in connection with the scandal, while two sitting senators, a former senator and at least eight public works officials have been detained.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the case was based on evidence and was not intended to target any individual selectively.
“This case proves that we do not take sides with anyone. We simply want those who are responsible to be held accountable,” Remulla told reporters.
Under Philippine law, plunder is generally a non bailable offence.
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