“Justice demands inquiry — not indifference.”
— A message that echoes through the corridors of power, and now, through the pixels of our screens.
In an era where political resignations are often mistaken for moral clean slates, one voice refuses to let silence be the final verdict.
A recent exposé, delivered with unflinching clarity by legal commentator and public affairs analyst Regal Oliva, has reignited the national conversation surrounding the alleged wealth accumulation and asset concealment tied to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
What began as whispers in the halls of Forbes Park has now become a full-throated demand for accountability — a call that transcends party lines, social strata, and even resignation letters.
The Luxury That Raised Eyebrows
It started with a private jet.
Not just any aircraft — a Gulfstream G550, reportedly purchased for 2.6 billion pesos. The price tag alone was staggering. But what followed was more troubling: allegations that this luxury acquisition — along with other high-value assets — were concealed behind layers of corporate nominees, shell companies, and secret hangars.
“The presumption of innocence, enshrined in the constitution remains,” Regal Olivia asserts, her tone measured but resolute. “but if these acquisitions are proven to be sourced from public funds, influence peddling or any abuse of office, then what we are looking at is not just ostentation, but potential plunder under Republic Act number 7080, the anti plunder law the acquisition of ill gotten wealth amounting to 50 million pesos or more through a series of criminal acts such as misappropriation, bribery and kickbacks, constitutes plunder, a heinous crime, non bailable, punishable by reclusion perpetua and forfeiture of assets.”
Plunder — a heinous, non-bailable offense punishable by life imprisonment and forfeiture of ill-gotten wealth — is not a word thrown around lightly. Yet, according to the exposé, the scale of alleged acquisitions — including multiple properties in Forbes Park and a chandelier worth 80 million pesos — meets the threshold.
Forbes Park: Where Wealth Meets Secrecy
The spotlight turns to Forbes Park, Manila’s most exclusive residential enclave — a neighborhood synonymous with old money, gated estates, and discreet power.
According to the report, Romualdez owns twelve houses in the area, including a recently acquired 1.6-hectare lot valued at 6 billion pesos. One image shared during the exposé showed a lush estate with a towering green gate — labeled “secure” — symbolizing not just physical protection, but perhaps, legal insulation.
But as Regal POV reminds us: “Ownership through corporations or nominees does not erase liability. It only obscures it — temporarily.”
The Legal Framework: Why Resignation Isn’t Enough
Romualdez resigned as Speaker of the House. Many assumed that was the end of it.
It wasn’t.
“Resignation is not absolution,” Regal Olivia declares, hammering home a point that should be etched into every citizen’s understanding of governance. It does not extinguish liability. It does not grant immunity. It is merely a change of position — not a clean slate.
She cites Republic Act No. 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which mandates full disclosure of assets, liabilities, and net worth — and penalizes concealment or falsification with criminal charges.
Further, she references RA 9160, the Anti-Money Laundering Act, amended to include penalties for laundering illegally acquired wealth — whether through direct ownership or corporate veils.
“The law mandates accountability, not amnesia,” she says. It cares about what you did while in office — and whether those actions violated the public trust.
The Ombudsman’s Mandate — And Its Limits
One critical question remains: Who investigates?
The Office of the Ombudsman is constitutionally mandated to investigate complaints against public officials. Its findings are typically recommendations — not convictions. Enforcement requires the judiciary.
And here lies the crux: resignation does not trigger automatic dismissal of pending cases. In fact, the Supreme Court has ruled that administrative and criminal liability can persist even after an official leaves office — especially when misconduct occurred during their term.
We cannot allow the illusion of resignation to become a shield to protect the predator lurking beneath the surface of power.
A Call to the President — And to the People
The exposé takes a pointed turn toward the highest office in the land.
If President Bongbong Marcos empowered him, then who empowered the enablers? Who turned a blind eye to the serial acts of corruption?
This isn’t about politics. This is about principle. About the rule of law. About justice for a nation struggling to recover from economic hardship — while some live in gilded cages.
We need to demand answers — not just from lawmakers, but from the institutions designed to hold them accountable.
No power is above the law. No resignation erases guilt. And no amount of wealth can buy the people’s silence.
Conclusion: Justice Demands Inquiry — Not Indifference
“JUSTICE DEMANDS INQUIRY — NOT INDIFFERENCE.”
It’s not just a slogan. It’s a manifesto.
This isn’t about vengeance — it’s about restoration. About reclaiming the integrity of public service. About ensuring that no official, however powerful, believes they are untouchable.
The case against Martin Romualdez may have paused with his resignation — but it has not ended.
Because in a republic, no man is above the law.
And the people? They are still watching.
Reference:
Regal Olivia - https://www.facebook.com/AttyRegalOliva
