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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Nobody can bribe me': Romualdez denies Discaya's commission claim

'Nobody can bribe me': Romualdez denies Discaya's commission claim

Published Sep 8, 2025 02:02 pm

At A Glance

  • House Speaker Martin Romualdez insisted on his innocence amid contractor Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya ll's allegations that he and several current and past congressmen received juicy commissions from flood control projects.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez (PPAB)
House Speaker Martin Romualdez (PPAB)


House Speaker Martin Romualdez insisted on his innocence amid contractor Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya ll's allegations that he and several current and past congressmen received juicy commissions from flood control projects.
"The claim in the Discaya couple’s affidavit that my name was used for commissions is false, malicious, and nothing more than name-dropping. Let me be clear: Wala akong kinalaman, wala akong pahintulot, at wala akong basbas sa mga ganyang gawain (I have no part, I gave no permission, and I gave no blessing for such actions)," Romualdez said in a statement Monday, Sept. 8.
"I cannot and will not allow lies and name-dropping to pass unchecked," the Leyte 1st district congressman and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president underscored.
"And I say this with all honesty: I have never, and I will never, accept a bribe from anybody. Walang sinuman ang kayang manuhol sa akin. Alam iyan ng lahat ng House members (Nobody can bribe me. All of the House members know that), he added.
"I am self-made, and I have been blessed with the trust of the Filipino people. I do not need—and will never allow myself—to be corrupted by money that does not belong to me," Romualdez further said.
Curlee Discaya--husband of Sarah Discaya--read a list of solons' names during Monday's Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing. He claimed that they received "percentages" from the funding of flood control projects.
The contractor said he heard Romualdez's name mentioned by some of the solons whom he dealt with.
"Congress debates and approves the budget. It does not release funds. It does not implement projects. That is the sole duty of the Executive and agencies like the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways).
"If anyone invoked my name, they did so without my knowledge and without my consent. At kung ginawa nila iyon para kumita, sila ang mandaraya at sila ang dapat managot—kahit sino pa sila, sa loob o labas ng gobyerno (And if they did that for profit, then they're the ones who cheated and they should be the ones held accountable--whether they are part of the government or not)," he explained.
"But let us not allow lies and name-dropping to destroy reputations or weaken faith in Congress. I will not allow falsehoods to tarnish my integrity or the institution I lead. Under my watch, we will clean the system, punish the guilty, and protect the people’s money," Romualdez said.
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