Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez Appears at ICI Flood Control Probe
MARTIN ROMUALDEZ – The former House Speaker came to the flood control hearing set by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
Countless Filipinos were left disappointed and angry over the supposed multi-billion flood control scam in the Philippines. What made the Filipino people even more disappointed are the alleged involvement of several government officials in the supposed corruption of public funds. The issue sparked the “Trillion Peso March”.
Presidential cousin and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is one of the government officials tagged in the issue. It was controversial contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya who first mentioned his name in their joint affidavit during a Senate flood probe.
The Discayas claimed that Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co allegedly got the biggest kickback share from them for the flood control deals awarded to their construction companies. The then-House Speaker denied the allegations.
Then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez denied the accusation of the Discayas and stressed that he does not need and will not allow himself to be corrupted by money that does not belong to him.
Following the accusation, several House members reaffirmed their support on Romualdez. They also denied that there will be a change of leadership in the lower chamber citing the “solid” support of the majority on the Leyte Congressman.
However, not long after the issue sparked, presidential cousin and Leyte Cong. Romualdez resigned from being the speaker of the House of Representatives. According to him, he wants the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to be able to fully and freely implement their mandate to investigate without undue influence.
Recently, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez arrived at the closed-door hearing set by the ICI. Based on a post of News5 on social media, he stressed that he will help in the resolution of the issue.
“I will be here to help in any way to speed up the resolution of the fact-finding and investigation for the ICI,” Romualdez said.
Based on the post, Romualdez also claimed that he will help “determine the truth and to give all the facts and information”.
The ICI also invited Zaldy Co to the flood control hearing but he did not arrive. The resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative was already in abroad when the accusations against them broke out. Despite the massive criticisms and calls for him to return, the Ako Bicol Partylist stands with Zaldy Co and even called his resignation “a sacrifice”.