BINIGYANG-DIIN ni Atty. Ade Fajardo nitong Lunes na walang natuklasang pagkakasala o pananagutan ang Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) laban kay dating Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez nang isumite nito ang Referral sa Office of the Ombudsman.

Sa isang statement, sinabi ni Fajardo ― na nagsisilbing abogado at tagapagsalita ni Romualdez ― na kanilang ina-“acknowledge the Referral submitted by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to the Office of the Ombudsman on November 21 and welcome the Commission’s completion of its fact-gathering mandate.”

Binigyang-diin niya na naging ganap na bukas ang dating Speaker sa buong proseso.

Ayon kay Fajardo, ang Referral “incorporates all evidence presented by former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez ― his sworn affidavit, complete transcripts, and the full audio-video recording of his voluntary appearance before the Commission last October 14.”

Ngunit tinukoy ng abogado ang pinakamahalagang bahagi ng dokumento: “Importantly, the ICI explicitly states that the Referral ‘is issued without any finding or conclusion of guilt or liability on the part of former Speaker Romualdez.’ This clear statement reinforces our confidence in the Commission’s impartiality and reinforces the constitutional role of the Ombudsman as the sole authority empowered to make determination on accountability,” aniya.

Idinagdag pa niya na sila’y may “trust that the Ombudsman will conduct an independent, thorough, and objective review of the evidence submitted.”

“From the outset, we have consistently maintained that a fair and complete assessment of the record will reflect the truth,” sinabi rin niya.

Ang pahayag ni Fajardo ay kasabay ng pagsisimula ng Ombudsman sa pagsusuri ng buong rekord ng ICI, na hudyat ng susunod na yugto ng imbestigasyon kaugnay ng mga flood control project na kinuwestiyon nitong mga nakaraang linggo.