Escudero tags Romualdez in flood control ‘sarswela’
Sen. Chiz Escudero claims that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is behind the accusations against the ex-Senate president and other senators in relation to the alleged corruption in flood control projects.
In his privilege speech, Escudero criticized how many of the Department of Public Works and Highways officials being investigated in the flood control projects scandal are supposedly concealing congressmen who are also allegedly involved.
"Isang tao lamang ang nasa likod ng script at sarswelang ito. Siya ang dahilan ng kaguluhan, pagkakaaway-away, pagkakawatak-watak na ngayong yumayanig sa ating bayan, maprotektahan lamang ang sarili niya," he claimed. "Sasabihin ko, Martin Romualdez."
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," or "FLR," to push the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
"Ginamit ni Martin Romualdez ang FLR at ang pangalan ng Pangulong Marcos upang itulak ang kanilang unconstitutional na impeachment complaint. Sabi nila, 'Pumirma kayo dahil kung hindi, hindi lalabas ang pondon niyo na naka-FLR bago mag-eleksyon," he continued.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said there was no such agreement, according to the former Senate chief.
Furthermore, Escudero said that Romualdez blamed him for the various issues hounding the Congress, such as the removal of Rep. Zaldy Co as chairman of the House of Representatives' committee of appropriations, delayed funds, the dismissal of Duterte's impeachment case, and their alleged anomalous plans for the 2025 national budget.
"Ganito ba katindi ang kapangyarihang hawak ni Martin Romualdez? Na bagama't hindi siya Speaker, tila the name that cannot be mentioned pa rin siya. At nagagawa pa rin niya ang nais niya kaugnay sa isang mapamiling hustisya," Escudero continued.
Romualdez claps back
In a statement, Romualdez called Escudero's speech a "DDS script," referring to supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
"Instead of answering the serious questions he himself must face, Sen. Escudero chose to deflect. He did not deny the allegations against him. He did not explain his own role in flood-control kickbacks. Imbes na magpaliwanag, nanisi siya," he said.
The former House Speaker also called Escudero's manifestation as a "performance designed to profess loyalty and service" to Vice President Duterte and "position himself" as her ally in the 2028 elections.
"For my part, I will continue to cooperate with every impartial investigation. My record can withstand scrutiny. Wala akong itinatago. As for Sen. Escudero, kung tunay na pananagutan ang hanap, sa presinto na siya magpaliwanag," he ended.
A former security consultant of Co tagged Romualdez in the flood control issue. The witness, Orly Guteza, claimed that he had delivered "basura," or suitcases containing dirty money, to the Ako Bicol Party-list Representative and Romualdez as kickbacks from the projects.
Romualdez denied this, saying that the testimony was an "outright and complete fabrication."
"I repeat: I have never received or benefited from kickbacks in any infrastructure project. I have never authorized, instructed, or allowed anyone to engage in any conduct that would betray the people or taint my name," he said.
Meanwhile, Escudero similarly denied involvement in the allegations made by Bernardo. "By his own admission, he never had any contact with me directly regarding this matter. I will prove that he is lying about my alleged involvement."
"It seems like there is a well-orchestrated plan to attack the Senate and its members to destroy and discredit the institution and to divert the public’s attention from the real perpetrators," he said in a statement.
Flood control mess
The flood control scandal has already sparked leadership changes in both houses of Congress, with House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos, tendering his resignation as an investigation got underway.
Earlier this month, the owners of a construction firm accused nearly 30 House members and Department of Public Works and Highways (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 Independent Commission on Infrastructure that will specifically investigate irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years.
