00:00Good day, everyone. My name is Adet Fajardo. I am a legal practitioner based in Pasig City.
00:07Today, I am relaying to you our reaction as counsel for former Speaker Martin Jiromualdez
00:15on the ICI referral to the Office of the Ombudsman as follows.
00:22We acknowledge the referral submitted by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure
00:27to the Office of the Ombudsman on November 21 and welcome the Commission's completion of its fact-gathering Monday.
00:37We respect the ICI's commitment to transmit all gathered evidence to the Office of the Ombudsman for further evaluation.
00:48The referral incorporates all evidence presented by former Speaker Martin Jiromualdez,
00:55his sworn affidavit, complete transcripts, and the full audio-video recording of his voluntary appearance
01:02before the Commission last October 14.
01:05Importantly, the ICI explicitly states that the referral code is issued without any finding or conclusion of guilt
01:16or liability on the part of former Speaker Martin Jiromualdez, end of quote.
01:23This clear statement reinforces our confidence in the Commission's impartiality
01:29and affirms the constitutional role of the Ombudsman as the sole authority empowered to make determination on accountability.
01:39We trust that the Ombudsman will conduct an independent, thorough, and objective review of the evidence submitted.
01:50From the outset, we have consistently maintained that a fair and complete assessment of the record will reflect the truth.
02:00Thank you very much.
02:09Thank you very much.
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