Romualdez, Co, and Villar to be subpoenaed by the ICI amid probe into flood control mess
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure will summon former House speaker Martin Romualdez, ex-Ako Bicol party-list rep. Zaldy Co, and Sen. Mark Villar amid the investigation on anomalous flood control projects.
ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka confirmed to the media on Wednesday, Oct. 1, that the three officials will be invited to attend the hearing on the probe into the flood control projects.
Summons for Romualdez and Co were issued during the first part of its hearing. When asked about the freezing of the assets of Romualdez, Hosaka said the former speaker was not yet included in the recommendation to the Office of the Ombudsman.
“What we wrote to AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council) was with regard to the freezing of assets of the persons probably liable, the ones we filed in the Ombudsman last Monday,” Hosaka explained.
Meanwhile, Villar will be summoned in connection with his tenure as the former Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways from 2016 to 2021.
"I will let you know when we will be inviting Sen. Villar," he added.
During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing, Curlee Discaya claimed that the DPWH officials he cited alleged the kickbacks were intended for Romualdez and Co.
Co was the chief executive officer of the Sunwest Group of Companies, which was among the top 15 construction firms that secured contracts with the DPWH for P100 billion worth of flood control projects nationwide over the last three years.
Curlee also claimed that Quezon City 4th District Rep. Marvin Rillo always mentions the name of Romualdez as a close friend.
"Sinasabi pa ni Cong. Rillo na lahat ng kanyang request para sa pondo ay galing pa mismo sa unprogrammed funds at insertions na inaaprubahan ni Speaker," he said.
Meanwhile, Escudero alleged in his privilege speech that Romualdez is the mastermind behind allegations against senators, including the ex-Senate president, in relation to the anomalous flood control projects.
Romualdez and Co have since denied the allegations.
Flood control mess
The flood control scandal has already sparked leadership changes in both houses of Congress.
Earlier this month, the owners of a construction firm accused nearly 30 House members and DPWH officials of taking cash payments.
The Department of Finance has estimated that the Philippine economy lost up to P118.5 billion from 2023 to 2025 due to corruption in flood control projects. Greenpeace has suggested the number is actually closer to P1.025 trillion.
The controversy involving the government's flood control projects began in July as the rains triggered massive flooding in the metro.
Hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate revealed billions of pesos lost to corruption, which prompted the formation of the ICI, which will specifically investigate irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years.