Amid the Public Call for Accountability, DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon Speaks on Former Speaker Martin Romualdez
DPWH – Public Works chief Vince Dizon revealed the cases that the public works agency and the ICI recommended against former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, presidential cousin and Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez resigned from being the speaker of the House of Representatives. He is one of the congressmen accused by contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects of the government.
During a Senate flood control hearing, the Discayas brought with them a joint affidavit of their testimony wherein they detailed their claims that some congressmen including Romualdez allegedly get a kickback from the flood control projects awarded to their construction companies. On the other side, during a House probe, Curlee Discaya admitted that he never had a direct transaction with the then-Speaker.
Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the creation of an independent commission to probe the flood control issue in the country. His order led to the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure. Aside from senators and congressmen, several officials of the DPWH were implicated to the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption.
According to former Speaker Romualdez, he stepped down from the House speakership so the ICI can fully and freely exercise its mandate to investigate without an undue influence. Amid the public’s call for accountability, there are doubts if the former House Speaker will be facing charges.
Recently, DPWH chief Vince Dizon revealed that the ICI and the public works agency have already recommended the cases that may be filed against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Based on a post of News5 on social media, the Public Works Chief revealed that the following charges are recommended against the former House Speaker:
- plunder
- violation of the anti-graft practices act
- direct bribery
Based on the post, DPWH chief Vince Dizon also explained that they cannot recommend the filing of malversation charges against former Speaker Martin Romualdez as they need more evidence. The Public Works agency and the ICI have recommended the cases to the Office of the Ombudsman.
“Ang wala lang po diyan na hindi pa namin marekomenda is ‘yung malversation against speaker Martin Romualdez kasi kailangan pa po ng dagdag na ebidensya [para] ma-establish na may malversation,” the DPWH Secretary said.
Previously, Ombudsman Boying Remulla spoke on the filing of charges against former Speaker Martin Romualdez.