Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Speaks on Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez being Linked to Flood Control Mess
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President questioned why Marcos Jr.’s office cannot detain Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez at the House of Representatives.
Controversial contractors couple Pacifico and Sarah Discaya have accused several government officials as well as officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects. They made the accusation in their joint affidavit that was read during the Senate flood probe.
The Discayas owned some of the construction firms flagged by Pres. Bongbong Marcos to have received around P100 billion from the country’s total spending on flood control deals from July 2022 to May 2025. According to the President, the government spent P545 billion already.
Unfortunately, amid the country’s huge spending on flood control projects, several areas in the different regions still frequently experience flooding when heavy rains hit the areas. Not only Marcos Jr. but as well as countless Filipinos are disappointed over the flood control corruption in the country.
In their joint affidavit which was read by Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya during a Senate flood probe, the controversial contractors accused then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co of allegedly receiving a 30% kickback from the flood control projects.
Amid the accusations, presidential cousin and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez resigned from being the House Speaker to give way for the Independent Commission on Infrastructure’s investigation. The Discayas are seeking for a witness protection and, based on a report on Inquirer, they met with Justice Secretary Boying Remulla.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos ordered the creation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure or the ICI amid the flood control issue in the country. However, recently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte raised questions over the Office of the President’s seriousness and sincerity in dealing with the issue.
According to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, the Marcos Jr. administration allowed Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co to go abroad. In the case of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, she stressed that the government let him resign as speaker.
“Isa sa mga examples na masabi ko sa inyo na wala talaga silang sinseridad sa imbestigasyon sa flood control kasi tinuro na, pinangalanan na, hindi lang ako ang nagsabi, Zaldy Co at Martin Romualdez. Si Zaldy Co, hinayaan nilang umalis ng bansa. Si Martin Romualdez, hinayaan nilang mag-resign. Nag-resign naman na, so tapos na ang usapan,” Duterte said,
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte raised questions on why Marcos Jr.’s office cannot bring Rep. Zaldy Co back to the Philippines and detain Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez in the House of Representatives. She once again reiterated her claim that her father, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, was allegedly forced to be brought abroad but the government can’t do it to return Co to the country.
“Hindi man lang nila magawa na ikulong si Martin Romualdez diyan sa detention unit ng House of Representatives?” the Vice President said.
Isabela Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy replaced Romualdez as House Speaker. Recently, the newly-elected House Speaker revoked the Travel Clearance of Zaldy Co and ordered his immediate return to the Philippines.