House Speaker Martin Romualdez Not Filing Case vs. Accusers For Now
MARTIN ROMUALDEZ – The camp of the House Speaker insisted that Mr. Pacifico Discaya himself claimed having no direct transaction with Romualdez.
Not only the Department of Public Works and Highways but as well as several officials of the government are currently facing accusations over the flood control mess in the Philippines. Amid the issue, President Bongbong Marcos ordered the formation of a team that will investigate the infrastructures funded by the government.
Based on the Executive Order issued by Marcos Jr., the independent body for the infrastructure probe has the power to move for the seizure of assets linked to anomalies and to issue subpoena. It is composed of three (3) people — a chairman and two (2) members who the President nor the Palace has yet to announce.
During the hearing of the Senate that focused on controversial contractors Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, Mr. Discaya read their joint affidavit that named the congressmen and the officials of the DPWH who are allegedly receiving kickbacks from the flood control projects of the government.
In the joint statement of the Discayas, among those who were mentioned were Quezon City Congressman Arjo Atayde, Pasig City Cong. Roman Romulo, and Marikina City Cong. Marcelino Teodoro. House Speaker Martin Romualdez was also cited by the controversial contractors.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez was quick to deny the Discayas’ claim that he allegedly received kickbacks from the flood control projects. He stressed that he is “self-made” and he does not need and will not allow himself to be corrupted by the money that does not belong to him.
“If anyone abuses or uses my name for profit, they should be held accountable—no matter who they are, inside or outside of government. But let us not allow lies and name-dropping to destroy reputations or weak faith in Congress,” the Speaker said.
Despite the previous pronouncement of the House Speaker, his chief communications officer, Surigao del Norte Representative Ace Barbers, said House Speaker Martin Romualdez is not filing charges against his accusers for now. Based on a report on GMA News, the Speaker’s camp asserted the statement of Mr. Pacifico Discaya during the House hearing.
“I don’t think that [filing charges] is being considered right now, although we respect the other members of the House who said they will file charges against the Discaya couple who linked them to the flood control mess without presenting evidence,” Barbers said.
During a House hearing, Mr. Pacifico Discaya claimed that while he mentioned House Speaker Martin Romualdez in this joint affidavit with his wife, Mrs. Sarah Discaya, they never had personal transactions with the Speaker. Based on the report, Romualdez’s camp insisted that the allegations remains a “hearsay”.
“Up to now, the allegations are hearsay. Mr. Discaya himself said he did not have a direct transaction with the Speaker,” Romualdez’s chief communications officer said.
Despite the issue, several House members asserted their support for House Speaker Martin Romualdez to remain in his position.