Jamaine Punzalan

Former Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate President Chiz Escudero, June 3, 2024. Yummie Dingding, PPA Pool

Article (news)

MARCOS-EDUCATION

Katrina Domingo

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175921095821120240603-marcos-kabalikat-pagtuturo-PPA-09.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Former Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate President Chiz Escudero, June 3, 2024. Yummie Dingding, PPA Pool </div>MANILA — Sen. Francis Escudero should prove his claims against Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez with evidence instead of just delivering speeches, Malacañang said on Tuesday after the former Senate President accused the former House Speaker of masterminding a scheme to implicate several senators in the supposed plunder of funds from flood control projects.In a privilege speech in the Senate on September 29, Escudero said that Romualdez was behind the “script” that pinned several senators in the corruption scandal. Escudero questioned why the President’s cousin has yet to be included in the investigation of several government agencies despite the frequent mention of his name in congressional hearings on anomalous flood control projects.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/29/-sarswela-ni-martin-escudero-tags-ex-speaker-romualdez-in-flood-control-mess-1604">&#x27;Sarswela ni Martin&#x27;: Escudero tags ex-Speaker Romualdez in flood control mess</a></div>“Kung iyan ang kaniyang napapansin at nakikita, malamang hindi naman din yan ang napapansin ng iba,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang.“Hindi nadadaan sa magandang talumpati, hindi nadadaan sa pagtuturo ang pagpapanagot sa mga umabuso ng pondo kung hindi sa pamamagitan ng sapat na ebidensya,” she said.“Sa ngayon, lahat ng naituturo, lahat ng nababanggit na pangalan, dapat nating ikunsidera na inosente. They should be presumed innocent until proven guilty,” she said.Evidence on Romualdez’s supposed involvement in the flood control mess should be submitted to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Castro said.“Ang ICI naman po ay isang independent commission na maaaring tumingin sa evidence, facts, records para matumbok kung sino ang dapat mapanagot,” she said.“Let us go to where the evidence leads us.”Escudero claimed Romualdez’s “script” trapped three former DPWH officials into mentioning names of senators to cover up for members of the House of Representatives.“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 said.“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.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/25/escudero-says-bernardo-s-kickback-claims-part-of-well-orchestrated-plan-to-attack-the-senate-1121">Escudero says Bernardo’s kickback claims part of ‘well-orchestrated plan to attack Senate’</a></div>Escudero also 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, but noted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not allow the release of the fund.Romualdez earlier denied Escudero’s claim, calling the allegations as “the same recycled accusations we have long seen on troll pages and social media posts.”“I will continue to cooperate with every impartial investigation,” the Leyte representative said.“My record can withstand scrutiny. Wala akong itinatago,&quot; he said.

Sen. Francis Escudero should prove his claims against Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez with evidence instead of just delivering speeches, Malacañang said.

Sen. Francis Escudero should prove his claims against Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez with evidence instead of just delivering speeches, Malacañang said.

Palace: Chiz should present evidence instead of speeches to prove claims vs Romualdez

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Palace: Chiz should present evidence instead of speeches to prove claims vs Romualdez

Katrina Domingo

Published Sep 30, 2025 01:47 PM PHT

Read More:

Chiz Escudero

Claire Castro

Martin Romualdez

flood control projects

ICI

DPWH

corruption

flood control

baha

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.