Romualdez shows up at flood control probe for the first time

Metro Manila, Philippines - Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Tuesday, Oct. 14, faced the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) – in what he called an opportunity to “share his side of the story,” denying claims that he was involved in massive corruption of public funds.

In an interview, Romualdez said he gave his personal knowledge on the 2025 budget process to “speed up the resolution of the fact-finding investigation.”

“It's about facts and evidence, hindi lang political noise or speculations kaya (not just political noise or speculations so) the ICI commissioners were able to ask me any questions and I was able to answer it and I feel very very happy,” he said.

ICI executive director Brian Hosaka said the ICI will invite the officials named by Romualdez as those involved in the budget process.

He said Romualdez voluntarily submitted an affidavit, which commissioners have yet to review.

The ICI has another hearing with Romualdez next week.

The commission earlier said it summoned the president's cousin 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.

Denying corruption claims

Meanwhile, Hosaka said Romualdez denied his involvement in the multi-billion peso pocketing of public funds, particularly the claim that suitcases of money were delivered to his home.

“It was asked of course, and he denied it,” said the ICI official.

In a chance interview, Romualdez downplayed the credibility of Orly Guteza, the supposed security aide of former House appropriations chairman Zaldy Co.

Guteza earlier told a Senate inquiry that part of his duty was to transport money--coded as “basura (garbage)”-- packed in suitcases, each containing around P48 million, to Romualdez’s residence in Taguig City.

“The witnesses that were presented are discredited already for having presented falsified documents and there's no other testimony and their testimonies have already been denied,” said Romualdez, pertaining to the notary disowned by the lawyer.

Asked about whether his former colleague, Co, should return to the country, Romualdez said all invited resource persons by the ICI must face the commission.

Co was a no-show in the ICI hearing.

The commission said it will review its next actions on the resigned lawmaker. It earlier floated a possible contempt order against the former lawmaker through a court order.

On the topic of publicizing the statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN), Romualdez said he is willing to release his own, only if the ICI requires him to do so.