The camp of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Saturday denied claims that he had left the country, saying he remains in the Philippines and is prepared to answer allegations related to the alleged flood control project anomalies.
In a statement, Romualdez spokesperson Elaine Atienza said the former speaker has never gone into hiding and has no plans to leave the country.
She said Romualdez is prepared to face any proceedings before the Office of the Ombudsman and clear his name through the legal process.
The statement came a day after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said a plunder case against Romualdez was nearing filing and that the matter had reached the preliminary investigation stage.
Atienza, however, said the Ombudsman had made clear that no criminal case has yet been filed before the Sandiganbayan and that Romualdez has not been convicted of any offense.
She added that the proceedings are still in the preliminary investigation stage, where respondents are given the opportunity to answer the allegations.
According to Atienza, Romualdez has not yet received a copy of the complaint but will respond to all allegations once formally notified.
