Romualdez remittances amounting to ₱560.5 million were not linked to flood control transactions, according to testimony from an Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) witness during court proceedings on November 12. The testimony adds an important development to the investigation involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as authorities examine financial records and allegations of kickbacks connected to government infrastructure projects.

The testimony was presented on Thursday, November 12, during proceedings related to Romualdez’s bail petition in connection with a ₱7.4-billion plunder case involving alleged kickbacks from government flood control projects.

According to GMA News Online, the AMLC witness said there were no bank records showing contractors or Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel directly transferring money to Romualdez in connection with the transactions under examination.

The ₱560.5 million in remittances reportedly entered Romualdez’s bank account during his tenure as House Speaker from 2022 to 2025.

The testimony is significant because financial transactions and the alleged movement of money between contractors, government officials and lawmakers have become central issues in the flood control investigation.

AMLC Testimony Raises Questions About the Financial Trail

The latest testimony highlights the importance of distinguishing between remittances received by an individual and payments allegedly connected to government infrastructure projects.

While the AMLC witness reportedly found no connection between the ₱560.5 million in remittances and flood control transactions, the finding does not automatically establish the legitimacy of every transaction or resolve the broader allegations against Romualdez.

Investigators and prosecutors must still establish the source of the money and determine whether other financial or documentary evidence supports the accusations.

The distinction is particularly important because some of the allegations involving the flood control controversy concern supposed cash deliveries rather than direct bank transfers.

Witnesses Previously Described Alleged Contractor Payments

The AMLC testimony comes amid other developments in the Sandiganbayan proceedings involving the alleged collection and distribution of kickbacks from government infrastructure projects.

In October, DPWH engineer Carlo Rivera testified that he collected approximately ₱5 billion in alleged commitment fees from contractors and handed the money to former Bulacan First District Engineering Office chief Henry Alcantara.

Rivera said the money was subsequently delivered to former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, who allegedly distributed portions to individuals identified as project proponents.

During cross-examination, Rivera confirmed that Romualdez was not included in the list of project proponents associated with the particular ₱5-billion collection scheme he described.

However, Rivera also acknowledged that Alcantara had identified the project proponents and provided him with the information.

The testimony is one of several pieces of evidence being examined in the case. It does not, by itself, resolve the separate allegations against Romualdez.

DPWH Project Records Also Under Scrutiny

Other testimonies have raised questions about how infrastructure projects were attributed to lawmakers.

In a separate development reported by GMA News on November 9, a DPWH official testified that approximately 400 infrastructure projects worth ₱27 billion, which listed Romualdez as their proponent, allegedly did not go through the regular budget preparation process.

The official said the projects were not included in the National Expenditure Program and were allegedly inserted into the budget through instructions from a former DPWH undersecretary.

These developments have placed greater attention on the relationship between congressional budget allocations, infrastructure project proponents and contractors involved in government-funded projects.

Romualdez Faces ₱7.4-Billion Plunder Case

Romualdez is facing a plunder case involving allegations that he received kickbacks from government flood control projects between 2022 and 2025.

The accusations are connected to an alleged scheme involving contractors, former government officials and intermediaries who supposedly collected and distributed payments in exchange for government infrastructure projects.

Romualdez has denied receiving kickbacks and has challenged the allegations against him.

The Sandiganbayan proceedings are continuing as the court examines witness testimonies and other evidence presented by the parties.

Financial Evidence Remains Critical to the Investigation

The latest AMLC testimony adds another dimension to the ongoing flood control controversy, particularly concerning the distinction between financial remittances and money allegedly originating from government infrastructure projects.

Although the reported ₱560.5-million remittances were not linked to flood control transactions by the AMLC witness, the broader case involves separate allegations of cash deliveries and contractor payments that remain subject to judicial examination.

Ultimately, the court will have to assess the credibility of witnesses, the reliability of financial records and whether the evidence establishes the allegations against Romualdez.

For now, the AMLC testimony provides an important development in a case that continues to raise questions about the movement of public funds, government project allocations and accountability in the country’s flood control program.