A 'Frame-Up': The Philippines' Biggest Corruption Case Just Got Complicated

Former House Speaker and the president's cousin Martin Romualdez has responded to the allegations against him - and we break it all down in this episode.A falsified affidavit. Three recanted witnesses. A claim that the whole case was scripted as a blackmail scheme.I summarize the 116-page Counter Affidavit Romualdez filed this month, responding to the corruption complaint we broke down last episode, and it goes after nearly every piece of evidence in it.On this assignment, I walk through his defense point by point: he had no personal control over the flood control budget; a key witness affidavit was ruled falsified; security aides who described cash deliveries have now recanted; and why he's asking the Ombudsman to dismiss the case entirely, arguing that continuing to prosecute him would itself violate his constitutional rights.⚠️ A note before you listen: this is one side's sworn response to the allegations. It doesn't settle the case, and the Ombudsman still has to weigh both filings before deciding whether to move forward.📌 Follow along as this case develops. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and on my social media and YouTube channels: @natashya_g