The Philippine Palace has stated that it respects the Ombudsman's decision to file a plunder case against former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, emphasizing that evidence must determine the outcome. Romualdez is the maternal first cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and the Palace maintains that accountability applies to all individuals regardless of their relationship to the president. Former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co and others have also been charged in connection with alleged kickbacks totaling over PHP 7 billion. During his fifth State of the Nation Address, Marcos acknowledged the difficulty of these legal actions against his cousin but reaffirmed his commitment to justice and the rule of law.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the Palace's stance on the legal proceedings against Romualdez without overtly favoring either side. It quotes official statements emphasizing accountability and respect for due process, avoiding loaded language or one-sided sourcing. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the





