Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte on Tuesday, Oct. 14, slammed what he called “the biggest joke of the century” following reports that former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez might be made a state witness in the multi-billion peso flood control corruption probe.

“So now, Congressman Martin Romualdez will supposedly become a state witness? Biggest joke of the century,” Duterte said in a statement, questioning how Romualdez, who he described as “at the top of the funding chains,” could testify against others in the alleged anomaly.

“You mean to tell the Filipino people that the one sitting at the top of the funding chains, whose name is whispered in every Department of Public Works and Highways regional offices, will suddenly turn state witness — against whom, exactly? Himself?” he added.

Duterte stressed the public should not be treated as fools, questioning how someone who allegedly benefited from the flood control billions could now serve as a witness. He likened the situation to a crocodile testifying against its kind—but only after it had finished feeding.

The Davao lawmaker also criticized the administration’s handling of the issue, saying that if the Department of Justice allows such a move, it would expose how deeply compromised the system has become.

“If the DOJ permits this, it’s clear — the problem is not just floods in this country, but the drowning of the government’s conscience,” Duterte said in English, Cebuano, and Tagalog.

Duterte also slammed Malacañang, accusing the administration of turning the anti-corruption campaign into a comedy series. “So what’s next? The mastermind becomes the witness, the witnesses become the suspects, and the people — as always — become the fools.”

He claimed the Philippines had become “the butt of jokes in the international community,” citing both the extent of corruption and the government’s alleged attempts to protect those in power.

“Is this how stupid this administration thinks the Filipino people are? The ship is sinking and sinking fast — but the culprits cannot answer because they are in power,” Duterte said.

Malacañang said it would be up to the Department of Justice to determine if Romualdez could qualify as a state witness in the probe.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters that Romualdez’s possible qualification as a state witness would depend on the substance of his testimony and the DOJ’s assessment of the information he provides.

Romualdez on Monday appeared before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, a body created through Executive Order No. 94 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to investigate alleged irregularities in flood mitigation projects.

The Leyte lawmaker vowed full cooperation with the probe and denied previous allegations linking him to the fund anomalies.

However, Duterte insisted that such gestures were insufficient to erase public suspicion. “In this flood of corruption they created — there is no mercy, no fear, and no shame,” he said.