House Speaker Martin Romualdez Reacts To Pres. Bongbong Marcos’ Remarks on Accountability
MARTIN ROMUALDEZ – The House Speaker expressed his support to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure flood probe.
With the country’s huge spending on the flood control projects but many areas are still usually left flooded when heavy rains hit the nation, countless Filipinos are undeniably not just saddened but angered by the flood control corruption now. Even the Department of Public Works and Highways which is the center of criticisms admitted that the issue is about “billions of pesos” which belongs to the people.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos previously revealed that the Philippines has already spent P545-billion for the flood control projects since his presidential term started until May 2025. He also flagged the contractors that got a significant portion from the said total government spending.
According to Marcos Jr., around P100 billion from the total P545-billion spent by the government on flood control projects went to 15 contractors. They were invited by both the Senate and the House of Representatives into their respective flood probes.
- Legacy Construction Corporation
- Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
- St. Timothy Construction Corporation
- QM Builders
- EGB Construction Corporation
- Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
- Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
- Sunwest, Inc.
- Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.
- Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc.
- Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
- Wawao Builders
- MG Samidan Construction
- L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.
- Road Edge Trading & Development Services
Amid the issue, several government officials as well as officials of the DPWH were surrounded by accusations and criticisms after controversial contractors Pacifico and Sarah Discaya named them for allegedly receiving kickback from government flood control deals. One of those names in their joint affidavit was House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos ordered the creation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure to probe the infrastructure projects of the government amid the flood control projects issue. Recently, during a press conference, the President was asked if the ICI will not exempt investigations on his allies including House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Marcos Jr. was quick to answer that his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and his allies will not be spared from the flood control probe. Recently, the House Speaker also spoke his side over the President’s pursuit for accountability amid the issue.
Based on a report on GMA News, House Speaker Martin Romualdez expressed his support on the Independent Commission for Infrastructure probe. He stressed that his chamber embraces transparency and the restoration of public trust amid the issue.
“I fully support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s statement that no one is exempt from accountability. The House of Representatives has already embraced this principle in our work to uphold transparency and restore public trust,” Romualdez said.
Based on the report, House Speaker Martin Romualdez also expressed the same sentiment with his cousin, Pres. Bongbong Marcos, that investigations should not be a venue for reckless accusations and name-dropping. According to Romualdez, probe must be anchored on facts and evidence not on rumor, hearsay, or innuendo.
“The House will not be a refuge for wrongdoing. Not even its own Members will be shielded if wrongdoing is proven. We will ensure that the process is fair, fact-based, and guided by the rule of law. Walang itinatago, walang poprotektahan, at higit sa lahat— hindi lilihis sa interes ng taumbayan. The House won’t be a refuge for wrongdoing,” he said.