House of Representatives’ Spox Speaks on SALN of House Speaker Martin Romualdez — “Filed in accordance with Law”
House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s SALN is ready for “proper scrutiny” according to the chamber’s spokesperson amid the claim of acting Davao Mayor Baste Duterte.
Acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte is now back in the Philippines after staying for a few weeks in The Hague, Netherlands. He visited his father, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who is currently under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The acting Davao City Mayor and the rest of the Duterte siblings have even visited former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte together inside the ICC detention facility. According to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, it was really a request of the 80-year-old former President for all four (4) of them to visit him together.
After their visit, the Duterte siblings answered some questions of their family’s supporters who stay outside the ICC detention center. They were asked about the flood control projects issue in the Philippines.
Recently, several ‘ghost’ and substandard flood control projects funded by the government were discovered by the authorities. However, according to acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, the issue is allegedly used as a “publicity stunt”.
Acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte also claimed that his city allegedly has its own flood control plans. However, according to him, the problem is that the local funds are not enough for it and they need the support of the national government to proceed with it.
Recently, amid his recent return to the country, acting Davao Mayor Baste Duterte raised a question on the SALN of House Speaker Martin Romualdez. According to him, in 2022, the House Speaker allegedly has P200 million in his SALN but, now, his SALN supposedly stated P3 billion.
Amid the accusation of acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, the House of Representatives defended House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Based on a report on Inquirer, House spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante said the claims of the acting Davao Mayor is allegedly “baseless” and the figures are “absurd fabrications”.
“Mayor Sebastian Duterte’s latest tirade is another baseless attempt to smear Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. The figures he cites are nothing but absurd fabrications — proof once again of the Dutertes’ penchant for fake news,” the House Spox said.
Based on the report, Atty. Princess Abante also stressed that the SALN of House Speaker Martin Romualdez is filed in accordance to the law. According to the House Spox, it is also “open for proper scrutiny”.
With regards to the “lifestyle check” order of Marcos Jr., Vice Pres. Sara Duterte agrees to it but cited that it should include all government appointed officials.