Statement of House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Discayas’ Claim during Senate Hearing
House Speaker Martin Romualdez reacted to the claim of the Discayas that he allegedly receives kickbacks from flood control projects.
The recent Senate flood probe has left countless Filipinos, even the lawmakers in the Senate, shocked by the claims of the Discaya couple. Curlee and Sarah Discaya rose to prominence before following the interviews that showcased their lavish lifestyle but they hooked the spotlight even more amid the flood control project issue in the Philippines now.
In the previously Senate flood probe, it was only Sarah Discaya who appeared at the inquiry. She was asked about her construction companies, the government contracts they secured, as well as their wealth. The controversial contractor admitted to owning 28 luxury cars.
During the previous Senate flood hearing, Sarah Discaya admitted that they have 9 construction companies and they have bid for the same projects of the DPWH or the Department of Public Works and Highways. Following her claim, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada tagged it as allegedly an “illegitimate bidding” if it was the case. Here are the 9 construction firms of the Discayas:
- Alpha and Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
- St. Gerrard Construction and Development Corp.
- St. Timothy Construction Corp.
- St. Matthew General Contractor and Development Corp.
- Elite General Contractor and Development Corp.
- Amethyst Horizon Builders and General Contractor, and Development Corp.
- YPR General Contractor and Construction Supply Inc.
- Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc., and
- Way Maker One Person Corp.
During the Senate flood hearing today, Sarah Discaya admitted the alleged “system” that required them to give some congressmen and DPWH officials commission from their government contracts for those to push through. In a joint affidavit read by her husband, Curlee, one of the prominent political figures named by the controversial contractors was House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez was quick to deny the claims of the Discayas. Based on a post of News5 on social media, he stressed that there is no need for him to engage in corruption over the money that isn’t his.
“I am self-made, and I have been blessed with the trust of the Filipino people. I do not need—and will never allow myself—to be corrupted by money that does not belong to me,” the House Speaker said.
Furthermore, based on the post, House Speaker Martin Romualdez seemingly issued a warning that he will really seek accountability from someone who abuses or uses his name for profit.
“If anyone abuses or uses my name for profit, they should be held accountable—no matter who they are, inside or outside of government. But let us not allow lies and name-dropping to destroy reputations or weak faith in Congress,” Romualdez said.
Aside from Romualdez, the name of Quezon City Representative Arjo Atayde was also mentioned by the Discayas in their affidavit during the Senate flood probe.