Statement of House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Steps Taken by Chamber for Reforms in Budget Process
House Speaker Martin Romualdez expressed his support on “independent scrutiny” for corrupt government officials.
Amid the ongoing investigations on the alleged anomalous flood control projects in the Philippines, not only President Bongbong Marcos but as well as millions of Filipinos were left very dismayed by what is happening now. Billions are spent by the government for flood control projects but several areas in the country are never spared by the structures built from flood when typhoons hit.
Furthermore, there were several discoveries of ‘ghost’ flood control projects funded by the government. Pres. Bongbong Marcos wants an independent committee to investigate the flood control projects and the infrastructures funded by the government.
Amid the criticisms against the Department of Public Works and Highways, new DPWH chief Vince Dizon claimed that he will abolish the internal investigation committee of the agency. According to him, he does not believe that an agency can investigate itself.
The newly-appointed chief of DPWH also claimed that they will just submit information to the independent commission tasked to investigate the infrastructures project of the government. Pres. Bongbong Marcos previously confirmed that his office is already drafting an executive order for the creation of an independent commission for the investigation of the flood control projects.
The Senate also investigates the issue of anomalous flood control projects in the country. It even invited the contractors behind the following construction companies flagged by Marcos Jr.:
- Legacy Construction Corporation
- Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
- St. Timothy Construction Corporation
- QM Builders
- EGB Construction Corporation
- Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
- Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
- Sunwest, Inc.
- Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.
- Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc.
- Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
- Wawao Builders
- MG Samidan Construction
- L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.
- Road Edge Trading & Development Services
Amid the disappointment of countless Filipinos over the flood control mess, the Senate and the House of Representatives are currently deliberating the 2026 proposed national budget. Recently, House Speaker Martin Romualdez spoke on being against corruption.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez support the “independent scrutiny” for corrupt government officials. Based on a report on GMA News, he stressed that the House of Representatives will never tolerate any form of corruption whether it is in the national or local level.
“Let me be clear: the House of the People will never condone corruption, whether in public works, local governance, or any other area of government service. Allegations of wrongdoing must be investigated thoroughly and addressed decisively,” Romualdez said.
According to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, he fully support the “initiatives for independent scrutiny and fair prosecution” to make sure that the government officials engaged in corrupt practices are held accountable under the law.
The House Speaker also claimed that the lower chamber has adopted steps to introduce reforms in the budget process. Based on the report, the following steps are in line with the chamber’s pursuit for the restoration of public trust and the boosting of public accountability:
- Greater transparency in budget hearings and bicameral deliberations with proceedings open to the public and livestreamed.
- Stricter oversight of lump-sum and unprogrammed appropriations, requiring detailed justifications from agencies before such funds can be approved or released
- Enhanced citizen participation and CSO engagement, empowering watchdog groups and stakeholders to help monitor projects and spending.
- Adopting budget modernization measures, such as the proposed Budget Modernization Act, to ensure a performance-based, cash-based, and results-oriented spending framework.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez stressed that the above-mentioned steps are “concrete actions designed to ensure that every peso in the national budget is allocated properly, spent prudently, and accounted for responsibly”. Amid the flood control mess in the country now, Pres. Bongbong Marcos wants the independent commission that will investigate the flood control issue be given a “subpoena power”.