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Metro Manila, Philippines – Presidential cousin and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez said he “will not go alone” or take the fall for corruption, as he confronted allegations linking him to the multibillion-peso flood control scam. “I will not allow myself to be turned into the scapegoat so that others who are actually accountable can walk away clean. If this is a political play to push me out and close the story, tarnishing my name and my reputation, then I am telling everyone now: I will not go quietly, and I will not go alone. I will not be the fall guy for other people’s corruption,” he said on Tuesday, April 21.  The Ombudsman has asked the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan to bar Romualdez from leaving the country pending the flood control scandal investigation. The Leyte lawmaker said he will no longer stay silent, noting that his “silence has been abused…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate crisis committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian is still pushing for the suspension of excise tax on diesel and the implementation of fuel rationing, despite recent fuel price rollbacks and supplies trickling in. In an interview with NewsWatch Plus on Tuesday, April 21, Gatchalian said the second consecutive big-time rollback in diesel prices offers little relief to public transport drivers, as diesel remains above ₱100 per liter and fares have not increased. He said he understands the executive branch’s concern over potential revenue losses worth billions, but noted that public welfare may carry greater weight. “Pre-war until now pareho pa rin ang pamasahe. Dito naiipit ang ating mga tsuper, ang ating mga drivers. Kaya ako, ang aking mungkahi, tuloy pa rin yung suspension ng diesel para makabawi at ma-minimize yung lugi ng mga drivers natin,” he said.  [Translation: From pre-war up to now, fares have remained the…

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento as presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation and unity, replacing retired Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Malacañang announced Tuesday. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed the leadership change during a press briefing. “President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento as the new Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, succeeding retired General Carlito G. Galvez Jr., who has stepped down after years of dedicated service to the country’s peace agenda,” Castro said. The Palace said Marcos expressed gratitude to Galvez for his role in advancing the government’s peace efforts, particularly in implementing signed agreements and sustaining gains in the Bangsamoro region. Galvez, a former military chief, served as peace adviser under the Marcos administration and earlier held key positions under former president Rodrigo Duterte. His resignation follows that…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  Malacañang assured former lawmaker Zaldy Co of his safety when he returns to the country, while pointing out that there is no evidence to fear for his life. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government is prepared to protect Co amid concerns by some officials that his life is in danger because of his knowledge of people involved in the flood control scandal. “The government will always assure the safety and the needed protection to be given to Zaldy Co,” Castro said during a press briefing Sen. JV Ejercito said a major challenge is to bring Co home “in one piece.” However, Castro said threat allegations must first be backed by evidence. “Dapat tingnan muna po natin, saan nanggagaling iyong sinasabing death threats? Mayroon na po bang naipakita?” she said. [Translation: We must first determine where these alleged death threats are coming from. Has any proof…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman has formally asked the anti-graft court to issue a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, which would bar the former speaker from leaving the country in light of the flood control scam probe. “While the cases are pending before the Office of the Ombudsman, the teams find it necessary to seek this remedy so as not to jeopardize the cases. They do not want the respondent to abscond and evade office processes,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said on Tuesday, April 21.  The Sandiganbayan can issue a PHDO to “prevent any attempt by a person suspected of a crime to depart from the Philippines,” which may be filed by the ombudsman upon a “preliminary determination of probable cause based on the complaints and attachments.” The ombudsman has yet to file a formal case against Romualdez. Ombudsman Boying Remulla…