Romualdez among officials being investigated by DOJ in flood control mess
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that House Speaker Martin Romualdez is among the officials under investigation in the alleged corruption in flood control projects.
Remulla was asked by reporters on Sept. 30 to respond to Sen. Chiz Escudero's claim that Romualdez is not included in the probe by the Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation, or the Anti-Money Laundering Council.
"Hindi totoo iyon," the SOJ said. "Alam mo, 'pag ganyan kasi, hindi kami nagsasalita hangga't 'di lumalabas ang mga testigo. Pero pinag-aaralan na namin lahat 'yan, liability-wise."
"Kasi nga, Zaldy Co, as the chairman of [the House Committee] on Appropriations, is well known as the Speaker's choice. Alam natin 'yan."
He continued to say that the DOJ is creating a diagram including officials involved in anomalous flood control projects and what their role was.
"Wala tayong itatago dito," he said.
Remulla said that the NBI is aiming to issue a subpoena for Orly Guteza, Co's former security consultant, who allegedly delivered suitcases filled with dirty money to the residences of the Ako Bicol Party-list Representative and Romualdez. Both congressmen have denied the accusations.
Guteza was invited to the DOJ to be evaluated for witness protection after he made the request during his testimony at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.
"Palilinawin natin lahat," Remulla said.
Escudero vs Romualdez
In his privilege speech, Escudero claimed that Romualdez is the mastermind behind allegations against senators, including the ex-Senate president, in relation to the anomalous flood control projects.
Former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo accused Escudero and other former senators of being involved in the flood control projects kickback scheme.
Escudero also accused Romualdez of using funds labeled "for later release" to push the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In response, Romualdez called Escudero's speech a "DDS script," and said that it was a "performance designed to profess loyalty and service" to Duterte before the 2028 elections.
Both Romualdez and Escudero have denied allegations linking them to anomalous flood control projects.
