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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Romualdez on Zaldy Co's insertion, kickback claims: 'My conscience remains clear'

Romualdez on Zaldy Co's insertion, kickback claims: 'My conscience remains clear'

Published Nov 15, 2025 05:23 pm

At A Glance

  • Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez says his "conscience remains clear" amid the continuing revelations of former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who has been linking him and President Marcos to alleged anomalous infrastructure projects.
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (left), Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (Contributed photo, PPAB)
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (left), Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (Contributed photo, PPAB)


Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez says his "conscience remains clear" amid the continuing revelations of former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who has been linking him and President Marcos to alleged anomalous infrastructure projects.
"My conscience remains clear. Throughout this inquiry, no public official, contractor, or witness has pointed to any wrongdoing on my part," Romualdez, a former House Speaker of the previous 19th Congress and current 20th Congress, said in a statement Saturday afternoon, Nov. 15.
Earlier Saturday, Co released his second video exposé wherein he claimed that Marcos and Romualdez received kickbacks via the insertion of P100 billion worth of infrastructure projects in the 2025 national budget.
In particular, Co said that Marcos received at least P25 billion from this P100 billion insertion as "SOP (standard operating procedure)--a euphemism for kickbacks or payoffs from government projects.
"I do not wish to comment on the recent statements and allegations made by former Rep. Zaldy Co because these were not made under oath and do not hold water in the court of law," said Romualdez.
"I continue to trust the ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure), the DOJ (Department of Justice), and the Ombudsman to evaluate all statements fairly and strictly on the basis of evidence," added the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president.
Co's video message Saturday was his second in his series of exposés. Romualdez didn't react to the first video ,which Co released on Friday.
"I remain ready to cooperate with any lawful process and I am confident that the truth will emerge through the proper institutions," said Romualdez.
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