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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Imposible iyan': Romualdez slams 'fabricated' claim on flood control project kickbacks

'Imposible iyan': Romualdez slams 'fabricated' claim on flood control project kickbacks

Published Sep 25, 2025 05:38 pm

At A Glance

  • Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez has branded the allegation raised against him during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing as "an outright and complete fabrication".
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (PPAB)
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (PPAB)


Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez has branded the allegation raised against him during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing as "an outright and complete fabrication".
In a statement Thursday afternoon, Sept. 25, Romualdez--a former House Speaker--poked holes in the testimony of Orly Guteza, whom he described as "Senator Rodante Marcoleta's witness".
"I was deeply surprised to hear the allegation raised against me today before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee— that several pieces of luggage supposedly containing money were ever delivered to a residence associated with me," Romualdez said.
"The so-called testimony of Sen. Marcoleta’s witness is an outright and complete fabrication—nothing more than a desperate attempt to link me to supposed kickbacks where none exist.
"Pilit na pilit (It's very forced)," the lawyer-congressman underscored.
Guteza, a supposed former security consultant of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, claimed before the senators Thursday that he used to deliver luggages full of cash--alleged kickbacks from flood control projects--to Romualdez's house.
He specifically identified Romualdez's home address as 42 McKinley Street, Taguig City.
"The most telling flaw is the witness’ claim that deliveries were made to McKinley beginning December 2024. Imposible iyan (That’s impossible)," the ex-House leader said.
"That property has been under renovation since January 2024 and was unoccupied except for construction workers. Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus—false in one thing, false in everything," he said.
"This is clearly political and the product of coaching. I will not allow these perjurious statements to pass unchallenged. Hindi ko ito palalampasin (I will not let this pass)," warned Romualdez.
"I repeat: I have never received or benefited from kickbacks in any infrastructure project. I have never authorized, instructed, or allowed anyone to engage in any conduct that would betray the people or taint my name," he added.
'I will fight back'
The Blue Ribbon hearing Thursday was the panel's latest on the flood control projects corruption scandal. Romualdez resigned as House Speaker last Sept. 17 as more and more lawmakers became implicated in the controversy.
"I welcome a fair, transparent, and impartial investigation to expose these falsehoods. I voluntarily resigned as Speaker of the House of Representatives precisely to demonstrate my full support for the inquiry into flood control issues," he noted.
"I remained silent out of respect for the process, but now that my name has been maliciously dragged into this controversy, I will fight back— not with rhetoric, but with evidence," Romualdez further said.
Romualdez stressed: "Kahit kailan, hindi ako nagnakaw ng pondo ng bayan. Hindi ko kailangan ang perang galing sa masama (Never have I stolen from public funds. I do not need money sourced from evil)."
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