Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175913246695820240603-marcos-kabalikat-pagtuturo-PPA-18.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate President Chiz Escudero on June 3, 2024. Yummie Dingding, PPA Pool/file</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Sen. Francis &quot;Chiz&quot; Escudero on Monday tagged former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez as the alleged mastermind behind the accusations against him and other members of the Senate in relation to the anomalous flood control projects.</p><p>&quot;Iisang tao lamang ang nasa likod ng script at sarswelang ito. Siya ang dahilan ng kaguluhan, pag-aaway, pagkakawatak-watak na ngayo&#x27;y yumayanig sa ating bayan maprotektahan lamang ang sarili niya. Ang pangalan niya ay matagal nang bulung-bulungan sa bawat sulok ng bansa pero ngayon unti-unting nang sinisigaw ng taumbayan,&quot; he said.</p><p>He then played a video of protesters yelling, &quot;Martin, Martin magnanakaw.&quot;</p><p>Multiple individuals linked Romualdez to the flood control anomalies, including government contractors and <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/24/ex-dpwh-engineers-disacayas-now-considered-protected-witnesses-by-doj-1442">provisionally protected witnesses </a>Sarah and <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/8/disacayas-says-corrupt-officials-used-them-in-anomalous-bidding-1114">Curlee Discaya</a>.</p><p>Orly Guteza, a former staff member of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, also testified that he was ordered to deliver <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/25/suitcases-of-money-delivered-to-romualdez-zaldy-co-houses-staff-1118">millions of pesos</a> to Romualdez and Co’s houses from December 2024 to August this year.</p><p>Romualdez <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/8/lawmakers-deny-discaya-corruption-claims-in-flood-control-mess-1217">denied</a> all accusations.</p><p>Escudero cried foul over the lack of action on Romualdez’s alleged involvement.</p><p>“Subalit, sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, hindi ba nakapagtataka kung bakit hindi isinasama si Martin Romualdez sa anumang imbestigasyon ng DOJ (Department of Justice) man, NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) man, o AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council) man?”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/27/doj-may-add-more-people-for-case-buildup-on-flood-control-mess-1711">DOJ may add more people for case buildup on flood control mess</a></div><p>He added: &quot;Ganito ba katindi ang kapangyarihang hawak ni Martin Romualdez, na bagaman hindi siya speaker, tila &#x27;the name that cannot be mentioned&#x27; pa din siya, at nagagawa pa rin niya ang nais niya kaugnay sa isang mapamiling hustisya o selective justice.&quot;</p><p>Escudero said the former speaker’s “script” diverts attention from the House to him and his colleagues who are accused of being involved in the flood control mess.</p><p>“Tila pilit na ginagawang panakip butas, ika nga, at fall guy at dibersyon ang mga senador palayo sa Kamara at sa mga tunay na may sala,” he said.</p><p>Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/26/former-dpwh-exec-bernardo-says-he-met-with-escudero-on-projects-1221">claimed </a>Escudero asked him what DPWH could do for him.</p><p>Escudero was also exposed of <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/12/escudero-denies-hand-in-flood-control-projects-secured-by-campaign-donor-1516">receiving </a>P30 million election campaign donation from a contractor.</p><p>Former Senate president pro tempore <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/9/ex-dpwh-engineer-tags-estrada-villanueva-in-alleged-flood-control-anomalies-1055">Jinggoy Estrada</a> and former Senate majority leader <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/19/lacson-estrada-villanueva-not-yet-cleared-in-budget-insertion-issue-1008">Joel Villanueva</a> are also being tagged in the corruption issue.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/9/23/assets-of-joel-villanueva-jinggoy-zaldy-co-others-ordered-frozen-remulla-1701">Assets of Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy, Zaldy Co, others in flood control mess ordered frozen: Remulla</a></div><p>Escudero claimed Romualdez’s “script” trapped the three former DPWH officials into mentioning names of senators to cover up for the actually involved members of the House of Representatives.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/24/ex-dpwh-engineers-alcantara-hernandez-mendoza-face-ici-1059">Ex-DPWH engineers Alcantara, Hernandez, Mendoza face ICI</a></div><p>“Simple ang patunay dito, kapani-paniwala ba na wala silang kinausap na kahit isang congressman na nakaupo na totoong may hawak ng mga distrito sa mga lugar na ginalawan nila sa hinaba-haba ng testimonya nila dito at sa Kamara?” Escudero raised.</p><p>“Mas kinaklaro naman kung inyong papakinggan na wala silang masabing direktang nakausap o binigyan ng anuman. Lahat ito, para lamang ipako ang mga senador sa media at sa publiko. At ilayo ang atensyon sa Kamara at mga congressman,” he said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>‘ROMUALDEZ USED FLOOD CONTROL FUNDS TO PUSH FOR VP SARA IMPEACHMENT’</strong></div><p>Escudero accused Romualdez of using flood control funds labeled “for later release” to urge House members into signing the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, despite knowing the Senate would not have adequate time to act on it before the 19th Congress ended.</p><p>He said: “Ginamit ni Martin Romualdez ang FLR at ang pangalan ng Pangulong (Ferdinand) Marcos (Jr.) upang itulak ang kanilang unconstitutional na impeachment complaint. Sabi nila, ‘Pumirma kayo! Dahil kung hindi, hindi ilalabas ang inyong pondo na naka-FLR bago mag-eleksyon.’”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/28/lacson-almost-all-senators-had-p100-b-insertions-in-2025-budget-1822">Lacson: ‘Almost all senators’ had P100-B insertions in 2025 budget</a></div><p>But Marcos did not allow the release of the fund, according to Escudero.</p><p>This, he said, was the reason why he refused to act on the impeachment complaint despite public pressure.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/6/senators-voting-on-marcoleta-motion-to-archive-sara-duterte-impeachment-1906">Senate archives Sara Duterte impeachment case</a></div><p>“That is why at the height of the impeachment controversy, and amidst the passion of some sectors to remove the vice president at all cost, I urged prudence and level-headedness because I knew that greed and not accountability was the reason behind it,” he said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>ROMUALDEZ: WALA AKONG ITINATAGO</strong></div><p>In a statement, Romualdez asserted that he has nothing to hide and is willing to cooperate in the investigation on the anomalous flood control projects.</p><p>&quot;For my part, I will continue to cooperate with every impartial investigation. My record can withstand scrutiny. Wala akong itinatago,&quot; he said.</p><p>The former speaker called Escudero&#x27;s speech a &quot;DDS script — the same recycled accusations we have long seen on troll pages and social media posts. Walang bago, at wala ring katotohanan.&quot;</p><p>He said Escudero&#x27;s speech was not to deny the accusations thrown at him but &quot;a performance designed to profess loyalty and service to Vice President Sara Duterte, and to position himself as her ally for 2028.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VrCBtpKFEoM?si=eu5Bo8AsZu7Hc_CX" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Escudero questioned why the former Speaker was not being questioned in his alleged involvement in the flood control mess despite being tagged by multiple individuals.</p>

Escudero questioned why the former Speaker was not being questioned in his alleged involvement in the flood control mess despite being tagged by multiple individuals.

'Sarswela ni Martin': Escudero tags ex-Speaker Romualdez in flood control mess

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

'Sarswela ni Martin': Escudero tags ex-Speaker Romualdez in flood control mess

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 29, 2025 04:04 PM PHT

|

Updated Sep 29, 2025 05:40 PM PHT

Read More:

Martin Romualdez

Chiz Escudero

Senate

flood control

corruption

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.