Deputy Speaker Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin has admitted to feeling "hurt" over the predicament being faced by former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez and other solons linked to the flood control projects mess.

Garin, speaking in a press conference Tuesday afternoon, July 28, said it was a natural thing to feel.

"Syempre natural lang yun, pag may kasamahan ka, human as we are, andun yung konting kirot sa ating puso," said Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) stalwart Garin.

(Of course, it is natural that when you have a colleague, human as we are, there is a slight pain in our hearts.)

"Ngunit nirerespeto natin ang proseso, nirerespeto natin ang sistema," she noted.

(But we respect the process, we respect the system.)

During his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday, July 27, President Marcos to the Ombudsman’s impending filing of charges against Romualdez, his own cousin and president of Lakas-CMD.

Garin cited Romualdez's response, even as she expressed trust in the country's brand of due process.

"Narinig naman natin yung statement ng ating former Speaker. Sinabi niyang haharapin niya ito ng buong tapang at ipo-prove niya," the deputy speaker said.

(We heard the statement of our former Speaker. He said he would face this with full courage and prove himself.)

"I believe these are the best venues where our former Speaker and some of our colleagues can best defend themselves. Napaka-importante nung maipakita nila sa korte kung mayroon man or wala mang kasalanan," Garin told the presser.

(It is very important that they show in court whether or not there is guilt.)

Romualdez said after the president’s speech: "Sang-ayon ako na gawin natin ang tama. Ang tama ay ang sumunod sa proseso at hayaan ang ebidensya ang magsalita. Naninindigan akong wala akong ginawang anumang labag sa batas. At handa akong patunayan ito."

(I agree that we must do the right thing. What is right is to follow the process and let the evidence speak. I stand firm that I have not done anything against the law. And I am ready to prove it. Thank you very much.)

At any rate, Garin said lawmakers must "move on" since a bigger task is at hand.

"And that is delivering for our people," she underscored as she pointed to priority legislation mentioned by the President Tuesday.

Among the measures highlighted by Marcos in his SONA were expanded income tax exemptions, lower income taxes for workers, the removal of the minimum corporate income tax for small businesses, and tax amnesty for unpaid income tax, estate tax, donor’s tax and value-added tax (VAT).

The President also pushed for wider VAT exemptions on medicines, additional PhilHealth benefits and the rollout of the Gamot Program to make healthcare more affordable and accessible.

Garin welcomed the administration’s continued support for agriculture to strengthen food production, stabilize supply and help keep food prices affordable for Filipino families.

She also backed the President’s push to lower electricity costs through the proposed Sariling Kuryente Act and amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), saying affordable power is vital to easing the financial burden on households and businesses.

On environmental protection, Garin said the President’s call to modernize the country’s solid waste management system was timely as communities continue to grapple with heavier rains and flooding brought about by climate change.

The deputy speaker said better waste management would not only protect the environment but also strengthen disaster preparedness and public health.

According to Garin, these initiatives reflect the administration’s commitment to making government services more responsive to the needs of ordinary Filipinos.