House Speaker Martin Romualdez To Resign from Post, Puno Confirms

Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno Reveals House Speaker Martin Romualdez Called for Meeting

House Speaker Martin Romualdez is resigning from his position in the House of Representatives as per Antipolo City 1st District Representative Ronaldo Puno.

Several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways as well as the government were dragged into the flood control mess in the Philippines now. The DPWH earned massive criticisms amid the issue that has hooked national attention.

In the testimony of controversial contractors Pacifico and Sarah Discaya during a Senate flood probe, they accused several government and DPWH officials of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects awarded to them. According to the couple, they had no choice but to ride on the “system”.

Pacifico and Sarah Discaya named congressmen Arjo Atayde, Marcelino Teodoro, and Roman Romulo in their accusations. They also claimed that House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co allegedly receives 30% kickback from the flood control deals.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez was quick to deny the accusation of the Discayas over the flood control issue. According to the Speaker, he does not need and will never allow himself to be corrupted by money that does not belong to him.

Romualdez further expressed that anyone who used his name for their benefits should be held accountable. During a flood probe in the House of Representatives, Pacifico Discaya claimed that he had no direct transaction with the Speaker.

The camp of the House Speaker previously claimed that Romualdez is not filing charges against his accusers for now. They also stressed the claim of Discaya that he has no direct transaction with the Speaker, thus, the accusation supposedly remains a “hearsay”.

However, amid the flood control mess, there are several calls for House Speaker Martin Romualdez to resign from his position amid the accusations. Recently, Antipolo City 1st District Rep. Ronaldo Puno confirmed that the House Speaker is resigning from his post.

Based on the report, speaking to DZMM, Rep. Puno revealed that the House Speaker has called for a meeting and told them that he is resigning from his position today. He also recommended to the party leaders if they could vote Deputy Speaker Bojie Dy to replace him in his position.

“Kahapon, pinatawag kami ng ating Speaker Martin Romualdez at sinabihan niya kami na balak na niyang magbitiw sa kanyang pwesto ngayong araw na ito, so rinekomenda niya sa mga party leaders na kung pwede iboto namin si Deputy Speaker Bojie Dy at tulungan siya, ‘yung rekomendado ni Speaker Martin para sa epektibong pamamahala ng ating Kamara,” Puno said.

According to Antipolo City 1st District Rep. Ronaldo Puno, House Speaker Martin Romualdez wants to defend the reputation of the House of Representatives. Based on the report, the House member admitted that they tried to convince the Speaker not to leave his post.

“Masyado na daw ang kontrobersya. Gusto niyang ipagtanggol ang reputasyon ng Mababang Kapulungan. Siyempre kami naman ay kinukumbinse siya na wag siyang magbitiw lalong-lalo na dahil dito sa ating panahon ng kaguluhan, hindi maaaring maging unstable ang ating Kamara,” the Antipolo City 1st District Representative said.

Amid the issue, Pres. Bongbong Marcos said that even his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and his allies will not be spared from the flood probe of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure.