Romualdez faces ICI flood control probe

Metro Manila, Philippines - Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Tuesday, Oct. 14, faced the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) – the body looking into multi-million peso anomalies in the government’s flood control projects.

In a chance interview, Romualdez said he is “ready to give his personal knowledge” on the 2025 budget process to “speed up the resolution of the fact-finding investigation.”

“While I’m not a member of the bicameral conference committee, I will share all information to determine the truth and to give all the facts and information,” the Leyte lawmaker, one of the alleged masterminds in the flood control scandal said.

Romualdez did not entertain questions from the media, in particular about former House appropriation chairman Zaldy Co, who was also invited in the inquiry.

The ICI said it summoned Romualdez to shed light on the budget insertions and his knowledge on flood control projects.

During a Senate inquiry, contractor-couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya tagged Romualdez and Co, and other House members for receiving huge kickbacks from infrastructure deals.

Former Senate President Chiz Escudero also pointed to Romualdez as the mastermind of the flood control mess.

The president’s cousin resigned as House speaker amid the investigation.

The Department of Justice earlier placed Romualdez on a lookout order upon the request of the ICI.