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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Romualdez used PBBM, 'for late release' of funds to push VP Sara's ouster bid—Escudero

Romualdez used PBBM, 'for late release' of funds to push VP Sara's ouster bid—Escudero

Published Sep 29, 2025 05:43 pm

At A Glance

  • Former Senate president Francis Escudero confirmed that former House speaker Martin Romualdez had utilized "for later release" (FLR) funds and even the name of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to push for the unconstitutional impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.


Former House speaker Martin Romualdez had utilized “for later release” (FLR) funds and even the name of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to push for the unconstitutional impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a manifestation on the Senate floor on Monday, September 29, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero confirmed what Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco had earlier disclosed—that the filing of the impeachment complaint against the vice president was used by the Leyte 1st District Representative in exchange for the FLR.

“Uulitin ko po: ginamit ni Martin Romualdez ang FLR— at ang pangalan ng Pangulong Marcos— upang itulak ang kanilang unconstitutional na impeachment complaint. Sabi nila: pumirma kayo! Dahil kung hindi, hindi ilalabas ang inyong pondo na naka-FLR bago mag-eleksyon (I repeat: Martin Romualdez used the FLR—and the name of President Marcos—to push their unconstitutional impeachment complaint. They said: sign! Because if you don't, your funds in the FLR will not be released before the elections),” Escudero disclosed.

“Subalit, Ginoong Pangulo hindi ito umubra. Hindi ito umubra dahil tinanggihan ito ni PBBM at sinabi niyang walang ganiyang uri ng usapan at sinabi niyang hindi niya gagawin ‘yon. Kaya't hanggang ngayon nanatili pa ring FLR ang mga kuwestionable na pondo nila (But, Mr. President, it didn't work. It didn't work because PBBM rejected it and said there was no such thing as a conversation and said he wouldn't do it. So until now, their questionable funds still remain For Late Release),” he said.

“And that is why, Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, at the height of the impeachment controversy— and amidst the passion of some sectors to remove the Vice-President at all cost, I urged prudence and level-headedness because I knew that greed and not accountability was the reason behind it,” Escudero said.

In the end, Escudero said he was glad the Supreme Court vindicated his stand on the issue when it declared the impeachment complaint against Duterte unconstitutional for violating the one-year ban on filing impeachment cases.

“The Supreme Court vindicated us by saying, among others: ‘There is a right way to do the right thing at the right time.  This is what the Rule of Just Law means’,” the lawmaker stressed.

Related Tags

Senate House of Representatives flood control probe Martin Romualdez Chiz Escudero
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