Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Speaks on Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President questioned the sincerity of the Marcos Jr. administration in the flood control corruption probe citing Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez.
The flood control mess in the Philippines left countless Filipinos disappointed and angry. Amid the issue, Pres. Bongbong Marcos ordered the creation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure or the ICI to probe the infra projects of the government.
Marcos Jr.’s independent probe team is armed with broad powers including the power to move for the freezing or seizure of assets related to irregularities. It also has the power to issue a subpoena to compel individuals to appear or mandate the submission of documents necessary for the investigation.
Despite the creation of the ICI, both the Senate and the House of Representatives are also conducting an investigation on the flood control issue. They invited the contractors flagged by Pres. Bongbong Marcos. During a Senate flood probe, contractor couple Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya claimed that some officials of the government and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) allegedly receive kickback from the government flood control deals.
In their joint affidavit, the Discaya couple accused Quezon City Cong. Arjo Atayde, Pasig Cong. Roman Romulo, and Marikina Cong. Marcy Teodoro of allegedly receiving kickback from the government flood control deals. They also made the same accusation against former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co.
Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez resigned from being the speaker of the House of Representatives amid the flood control corruption accusations hurled against him. According to Romualdez who is the cousin of Pres. Bongbong Marcos, he wants the ICI to freely and fully fulfill their mandate to investigate the issue. The Discayas, based on a report on Inquirer, is seeking a witness protection from the justice department.
Amid the accusations against former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that the Marcos Jr. administration is allegedly insincere in the flood control probe. She stressed that Co was allegedly allowed to fly abroad while Romualdez was allowed to resign from his position.
“Isa sa mga examples na masabi ko sa inyo na wala talaga silang sinseridad sa imbestigasyon sa flood control kasi tinuro na, pinangalanan na, hindi lang ako ang nagsabi, Zaldy Co at Martin Romualdez. Si Zaldy Co, hinayaan nilang umalis ng bansa. Si Martin Romualdez, hinayaan nilang mag-resign. Nag-resign naman na, so tapos na ang usapan,” the Vice President said.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte also asked why Marcos Jr.’s office allegedly cannot force Zaldy Co to return to the Philippines like how the government allegedly forced his father to be brought abroad. She also asked why the OP cannot detain Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez in the House of Representatives.
“Hindi man lang nila magawa na ikulong si Martin Romualdez diyan sa detention unit ng House of Representatives?” Duterte said.
Following the change of leadership in the House, newly-elected House Speaker Bojie Dy revoked the Travel Clearance of Zaldy Co and ordered him to return to the Philippines immediately.