The camp of former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez has expressed concern over the Office of the Ombudsman's reported plan to present former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan as a state witness in the ongoing investigation into the alleged multi-billion-peso flood control fund controversy.

The planned testimony is expected to form part of the Ombudsman's probe into the alleged irregularities involving flood control projects, in which several lawmakers have reportedly been linked.

Romualdez's legal team questioned the credibility of Bonoan as a potential government witness, arguing that his previous statements did not implicate the former House Speaker.

According to the camp, Bonoan allegedly did not mention Romualdez in the testimony he previously submitted to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, making the decision to use him as a state witness against the Leyte lawmaker questionable.

The former Speaker's camp also claimed that Bonoan's expected testimony would be based on speculation rather than direct evidence, arguing that Romualdez is being unfairly associated with the controversy because of his relationship with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In addition, Romualdez's camp maintained that Bonoan himself should instead be held accountable over allegations involving public funds, citing claims previously made by former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo regarding alleged kickbacks connected to infrastructure projects.

The Office of the Ombudsman has yet to issue a detailed public statement regarding the scope of Bonoan's reported participation as a state witness or respond to the latest remarks from Romualdez's legal counsel.

The investigation into the alleged flood control fund anomalies remains ongoing as authorities continue gathering evidence and testimonies from individuals linked to the case.