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Romualdez asks ICI to postpone hearing due to medical procedure

Philippines | National

Romualdez asks ICI to postpone hearing due to medical procedure

By Joseph Pedrajas

Former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez, who earlier said he wanted to "help speed up" the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) investigation, requested the body to postpone his hearing set next week as he will supposedly undergo a medical procedure.

The ICI on Saturday, Oct. 18, announced in a media advisory that Romualdez's participation in the hearing—his second one—will no longer push through on Oct. 22 due to medical reasons cited by the solon.

"The Commission will issue an advisory once a date for the next hearing has been determined," it added.

Romualdez was among those invited by ICI to participate in the investigation, since he served as Speaker of the House of the previous 19th Congress that approved the alleged insertion-riddled 2025 national budget.

On Oct. 14, Romualdez attended the ICI hearing for the first time, where he said he was able to share his side of the story.

Romualdez was accused of receiving kickbacks from the anomalous flood control projects alongside former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co. But that allegation appeared to have been discredited after the affidavit submitted by former Marine Orly Guteza turned out to be falsified.

Romualdez, in an ambush interview prior to his attendance to the hearing, said he was not a member of the Bicameral Conference Committee, which allegedly made the huge insertions in the 2025 budget.

"I believed in transparency and accountability. And that’s why I am here today — to do my part in ensuring that the truth comes out,” he said.

“I am willing to do anything that will help speed up the investigation, because like every Filipino, I want the truth to be established without delay,” he added.

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