Malacañang assured the public that House Speaker Martin Romualdez cannot avoid possible accountability in the controversial flood control projects, even if he steps down from his post.
“Kahit naman hindi siya mag-resign. At kung masasangkot man ang kaniyang pangalan at may mapapakitang ebidensya laban sa kanya, mas maganda kung ito ay kanyang depensahan sa pamamagitan ng records na maaari niyang ipakita. Mag-resign [o] hindi siya mag-resign, maari pa rin siya maimbestigahan,” Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, September 17.
Her statement came amid mounting speculation over a possible leadership shake-up in the House of Representatives, following allegations that Romualdez’s name had been dragged into the alleged corruption in the funds of flood control projects.
When pressed for details on President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s meeting with Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday, Castro confirmed that the two leaders indeed met but declined to disclose what was discussed.”
"Sa ngayon ay wala po tayong masasabi at hindi pa naman po yata nag-re-resign si Speaker Romualdez. So tingnan na lamang po natin kung anong susunod na magaganap," she stated.
In an exclusive interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Antipolo 1st District Representative and House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno said that Romualdez is set to step down from his post. And Romualdez has recommended House Deputy Speaker and Isabela 6th District Representative Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III as his replacement.
Castro added that the Palace is open to a possible change in House leadership should Romualdez step down, noting that such a move could pave the way for an impartial investigation while upholding the integrity of Congress.
“If ever man po na mag-resign si Speaker Romualdez, at ito po ay para maging malaya ang pag-iimbestiga, lalo pa’t nababanggit nga ang kanyang pangalan, magiging maayos po ito at katanggap-tanggap kung ang kanyang dahilan po ay para maisalba pa rin ang integridad ng institusyon,” Castro explained.
The controversy stems from revelations made by contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya couple, who alleged that a 30 percent kickback was routinely siphoned off from flood control project funds, with the biggest cuts going to Romualdez and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.
Meanwhile, Castro was also asked about the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Special Advisor and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s statement urging Romualdez to face the commission.
The spokesperson said Magalong was free to direct his advice to the ICI, which holds the mandate to review complaints, facts, and records linked to the flood control scandal.
"Si Mayor Magalong po ay Special Advisor. So kung ano man po ang kanyang ma-i-advise, idiretso niya na po sa ICI. At ang ICI po ay may mandato naman po na tugunan lahat ang mga records, facts, complaints na maaaring matanggap nila," she said.
On whether a resignation would calm public outrage over the alleged misuse of funds, Castro said the matter remained a personal decision for the Speaker.
“Para pahupain ang damdamin, sabi ko nga po… Mag-resign o hindi mag-resign, at kung ang pangalan niya ay nasasama, may iimbestigahan naman po ito. So, desisyon na po iyan ni Speaker Romualdez,” she reiterated.
As of this writing, Romualdez has yet to tender his resignation, and Malacañang has not issued any categorical position on a change in House leadership.
