Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Carmelle Lacuata

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday reacted to the achievements touted by former Senate President Francis Escudero.As he left his position, Escudero expressed pride in the Senate’s accomplishments under his leadership, including “hearings that unearthed corruption on a scale rarely seen before.&quot; Escudero counted the revelation of the name of Romualdez and Congressman Elizaldy Co in the ongoing investigation on the anomalous flood control projects as one of his achievements before he was ousted by his colleagues from the helm of the Senate.Romualdez, however, believes it is unfair for Escudero to call these as “accomplishments” when the hearings relied on “unfounded claims”.“Malinaw na ang mga pagdinig na ito ay ginamit hindi para sa katotohanan, kundi para sa paninira. And worse, the accusations came from contractors themselves—those already under investigation and admitting responsibility for ghost projects,” he said.“True accountability rests on facts, not on innuendo. Ang sabi-sabi ay hindi ebidensiya, at ang paninira ay hindi kailanman magiging hustisya,” Romualdez added.Escudero addressed his colleagues after he presided over the transition to Sotto after senators defected to the Sotto camp.&quot;I am proud of what the Senate has accomplished together, and I trust that the spirit of transparency and courage that have been displayed by this Chamber will be sustained. Sana po ipagpatuloy natin ito. Let justice and the rule of law be done and followed “though the heavens may fall.”Escudero also thanked his colleagues and the Senate employees.&quot;Thank you, Majority Leader, Thank you, Mr. Senate President Nais ko lamang pong magbigay ng maikling manipestasyon. Nais ko pong magpasalamat sa mga kapwa ko miyembro ng Senado na nagbigay po ng tiwala sa akin sa 19th at 20th Congress.&quot;&quot;Nais ko din po pasalamatan ang mga opisyal at kawani ng Senado. Karangalan kong pagsilbihan kayo at manilbihan kasama kayo nitong nagdaang taon.&quot;I serve at the pleasure, Mr. President, of the majority and understand and respect the decision of the majority of my colleagues. I hold no grudges. I hold no ill feelings.&quot;Escudero assured Sotto of his support.&quot;I congratulate Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on his election as Senate President and I wish you well, Mr. Senate President. Nandito lamang po ako bilang ordinaryong miyembro para pagsilbihan at paglingkuran kayo sa anumang kapasidad na pwede at kaya ko bilang bahagi ng Senadong ito.  &quot;Escudero also spoke of his legislative achievements as Senate President.&quot;During my tenure, Mr. President, the Senate did not shy away from confronting the difficult questions facing our nation. We passed a record number of laws that helped uplift the lives of our countrymen. We conducted hearings that unearthed corruption on a scale rarely seen before. And, in doing so we remind the public that accountability is not a mere empty rhetoric but a duty that we must all uphold. &quot;Senator Vicente Sotto III has replaced Escudero as Senate President. He earlier said he secured the backing of 15 senators for the leadership change.  Sotto also said he and other senators had issues with the previous Senate leadership, but he was quick to point out that these did not include flood control issues. He added they talked about the change in leadership weeks ago.<div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/8/sotto-replaces-escudero-as-senate-president-1544">READ: Sotto replaces Escudero as Senate President</a></div>

House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday reacted to the achievements touted by former Senate President Francis Escudero as he stepped down from the position.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday reacted to the achievements touted by former Senate President Francis Escudero as he stepped down from the position.

Romualdez reacts to Escudero’s ‘achievements’: ‘True accountability rests on facts’

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Romualdez reacts to Escudero’s ‘achievements’: ‘True accountability rests on facts’

Rose Carmelle Lacuata,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 08, 2025 06:02 PM PHT

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Updated Sep 08, 2025 07:04 PM PHT

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Senate

House of Representatives

Francis Escudero

Martin Romualdez

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