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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Hindi yan accomplishment': Romualdez chides Escudero on last day as Senate President

'Hindi yan accomplishment': Romualdez chides Escudero on last day as Senate President

Published Sep 8, 2025 06:24 pm

At A Glance

  • House Speaker Martin Romualdez chided Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero on late Monday afternoon, Sept. 8 for claiming that the recent Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings were part of his "accomplishments" as Senate President.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero (PPAB, Facebook)
House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero (PPAB, Facebook)


House Speaker Martin Romualdez chided Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero on late Monday afternoon, Sept. 8 for claiming that the recent Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings were part of his "accomplishments" as Senate President.
"Senator Chiz Escudero may consider the Blue Ribbon hearings as part of his legacy, but it is unfair to call them an accomplishment when they relied on unfounded claims," Romualdez said in a statement.
"Malinaw na ang mga pagdinig na ito ay ginamit hindi para sa katotohanan, kundi para sa paninira (Clearly, these hearings were not used in the pursuit of truth, but for the purpose of smearing people)," reckoned the Leyte 1st district congressman.
"And worse, the accusations came from contractors themselves—those already under investigation and admitting responsibility for ghost projects," added Romualdez, also president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).
Earlier Monday, during the afternoon plenary session, Escudero was unseated as Senate President. Taking his place was Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.
On Monday morning, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chaired by Senator Rodante Marcoleta held a hearing on the flood control projects controversy wherein contractor Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya ll floated Romualdez's name as among the congressmen who received huge commissions from such projects.
The House leader denied this allegation in an earlier statement.
"True accountability rests on facts, not on innuendo. Ang sabi-sabi ay hindi ebidensiya, at ang paninira ay hindi kailanman magiging hustisya (Rumors can never be evidence, and a demolition job can never result to justice)," Romualdez said.
He said that he House of Representatives "remains focused on real work—safeguarding every peso of the people’s money and serving with integrity and resolve".
Message to new SP Sotto
Meanwhile, Romualdez congratulated Sotto for once again being installed as Senate President.
"I congratulate Senate President Tito Sotto on once again being entrusted by his peers to lead the Senate. His long years of service, his experience, and his steady leadership will surely guide the Upper Chamber in these challenging times," he said.
Romualdez said the House is "eager to work side by side with him and our colleagues in the Senate".
"Sa panahong ito, higit nating kailangan ang pagkakaisa ng Senado at Kamara para maihatid ang ginhawa sa taumbayan (We need the unity of the Senate and House at this time in order to bring relief to our countrymen)," he pointed out.
The Speaker further said: "With Senate President Sotto at the helm, I am confident that Congress will remain a strong partner of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in delivering reforms and building a Bagong Pilipinas."
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