Sen. Bato dela Rosa Asked about House’s Change of Leadership
BATO DELA ROSA – The Senator was asked about the resignation of Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Presidential cousin and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez resigned from his position as the House Speaker. He is replaced by Isabela Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy in the leadership of the lower chamber. His resignation came amid the accusations of flood control corruption against him.
According to Romualdez, the longer he stays in the position as the House Speaker, the longer the weight may be not only on himself but as well as the chamber and the administration of his cousin, Pres. Bongbong Marcos. The flood control corruption hurled against him stemmed from the testimony of controversial contractors during a Senate hearing.
During a Senate flood probe, controversial contractors Pacifico and Sarah Discaya brought with them a joint affidavit that contained their accusation against some officials of the government and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) who allegedly receive kickback from the flood control projects. According to the Discaya couple, they had no choice but to ride on the alleged “system”.
The Discaya couple accused Pasig Congressman Roman Romulo, Quezon City Cong. Arjo Atayde, and Marikina Cong. Marcy Teodoro. The controversial contractors also accused then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co of allegedly receiving a 30% kickback from the flood control deals.
Romualdez was quick to deny the accusation of the Discayas. According to him, he is “self-made” and he does not need and will never allow himself to be corrupted by the money that do not belong to him. The then-House Speaker said that the individuals who use his name for their benefits must be held accountable.
The camp of then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez also insisted the claim of Mr. Discaya that he did not have a direct transaction with the Speaker. Amid the change of leadership in the House of Representatives, one of those who was asked of his opinion was Sen. Bato dela Rosa.
The Senate also recently had a change of leadership. Former Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero was ousted and replaced by former Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto. Several members of the Duterte bloc including Sen. Bato dela Rosa is now part of the Minority bloc.
Based on a post of GMA News, on the resignation of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez from being the House Speaker, Sen. Bato dela Rosa raised a question if the move of Romualdez is a sign of guilt. He stressed that he has no idea why the former House Speaker left his post.
“Bakit siya nag-resign? Sign of guilt ba ‘yun? About the accusation, about sa problema natin sa flood control. I don’t know kung bakit siya nag-resign,” Sen. Bato dela Rosa said.
Amid the issues, House Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun called the resignation of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez a “sacrifice” for the chamber and the country.