House Speaker Martin Romualdez Earns Solid Support from Fellow Solons
MARTIN ROMUALDEZ – Amid the allegation against the Speaker, several House members asserted that “there is no change of leadership” in the chamber.
One of the biggest issues in the Philippines now is the anomalous flood control projects in several areas in the country. The said government deals are eyed to involve contractors, officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and government officials.
Previously, during a Senate hearing, controversial couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya named several DPWH officials and congressmen who allegedly received kickback from them for the flood control projects awarded to them. The joint affidavit of the couple was read by Curlee Discaya.
The Discayas accused several congressmen including actor-turned-politician Arjo Atayde who is currently the congressman of Quezon City. They also accused Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo and Marikina Rep. Marcy Teodoro.
Aside from Atayde, Teodoro, and Romulo, in their joint affidavit, the Discayas also claimed that the following personalities allegedly received kickback from them for the government-funded flood control deals awarded to them:
- Terence Calatrava, Former Undersecretary of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas of the Philippines
- USWAG Ilonggo Party-list Rep. Jojo Ang
- Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas
- AGAP Party-list Rep. Nicanor Briones
- San Jose del Monte Bulacan Rep. Florida Robes
- Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona
- Former congressman Benjamin Agarao, Jr.
- Former congressman Florencio Gabriel Noel
- Occidental Mindoro Rep. Odie Tarriela
- Quezon Rep. Reynante Arrogancia
- Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo
- Former congressman Teodorico Haresco, Jr.
- Former congressman Antonieta Eudela
- Caloocan Rep. Dean Asistio
- Quezon City Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar
Curlee and Sarah Discaya also mentioned House Speaker Martin Romualdez in their joint affidavit. Based on a report on GMA News, despite the mentioning of the Speaker in the contractors’ testimony before the Senate, during a House flood probe, Curlee Discaya said he had no direct transaction with Romualdez.
Amid the accusations against the House Speaker, several members of the lower chamber asserted that their support for Speaker Martin Romualdez is solid. They also stressed that “there is no change of leadership”.
Deputy Speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V recognized that there are rumors going around but stressed that House Speaker Martin Romualdez has the support of the majority of the House members. Based on the report, he stressed that the chamber is solid.
“There are a lot of rumors around. Mga bulong-bulong. Tawag lang ‘yung naririnig ko. But as you can see, the House is solid, and there’s no change in the leadership,” Ortega said.
Furthermore, based on the report, Deputy Speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V also shared that the House majority coalition even recently met. Presidential son and the House Speaker’s nephew, House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos was also present at the meeting.
“Nagkakaisa po ang House of Representatives. Nandun po lahat ng party leaders, at naroon po ang aming Majority Floor Leader,” the Deputy Speaker said.