Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, who resigned as House speaker, has denied allegations that several suitcases supposedly containing money were delivered to a residence he supposedly owns.In a statement issued on Thursday, Romualdez said he &quot;was deeply surprised to hear the allegation&quot; that a former member of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co&#x27;s staff made before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee&quot;The so-called testimony of Sen. Marcoleta’s witness is an outright and complete fabrication—nothing more than a desperate attempt to link me to supposed kickbacks where none exist. Pilit na pilit (It is too forced),&quot; he said.The former House speaker stressed it is impossible that they have received money from the &quot;bag man&quot; in a residence that was under renovation since January 2024.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/25/suitcases-of-money-delivered-to-romualdez-zaldy-co-houses-staff-1118">Suitcases of money delivered to Romualdez, Zaldy Co houses: staff</a></div>&quot;The most telling flaw is the witness’ claim that deliveries were made to McKinley beginning December 2024. Imposible iyan. That property has been under renovation since January 2024 and was unoccupied except for construction workers,&quot; he said.&quot;Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus—false in one thing, false in everything.&quot;Romualdez said the allegation reeks of politics. &quot;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,&quot; he said.Orly Guteza, a security consultant for Co, claimed before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee he was ordered in various instances to deliver &quot;basura&quot; (trash), or suitcases containing money to Co and  Romualdez, as their portions from anomalous flood control projects.He said he made deliveries to Co&#x27;s and Romualdez&#x27;s properties, both at expensive addresses.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/25/senators-call-out-dbm-s-instant-release-of-funds-for-alleged-zaldy-co-insertions-1531">Senators call out DBM&#x27;s &#x27;instant&#x27; release of funds for alleged Zaldy Co insertions</a></div>Like Romualdez, Co is under fire for his alleged role in the anomalous flood control projects that involved billions of pesos.On average, Guteza said he delivered 15 to 18 suitcases — he said each suitcase could fit around P50 million — in a week from December 2024 until August this year, when he resigned from Co’s office.Some money, he noted, was delivered from Co to Romualdez’s houseRomualdez said he &quot;voluntarily resigned as Speaker of the House of Representatives precisely to demonstrate my full support for the inquiry into flood control issues.&quot; He added: &quot;I remained silent out of respect for the process, but now that my name has been maliciously dragged into this controversy, I will fight back— not with rhetoric, but with evidence.&quot;

Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez has denied allegations that several suitcases supposedly containing money were delivered to a residence he supposedly owns.

Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez has denied allegations that several suitcases supposedly containing money were delivered to a residence he supposedly owns.

Romualdez denies receiving suitcases of money from Co's ex-security consultant

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Romualdez denies receiving suitcases of money from Co's ex-security consultant

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 25, 2025 06:32 PM PHT

Read More:

Flood Control Project

Martin Romualdez

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee

Investigation

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