Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176838941661520250917-house-of-rep-romualdez-steps-down-MT18.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Speaker Martin Romualdez delivers his speech as he steps down from his post as Speaker of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Speaker Martin Romualdez delivers his speech as he steps down from his post as Speaker of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Claims that Leyte 1st District Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez supposedly used contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya as “front” to purchase a property in Makati City are “outright baseless”, according to the lawmaker&#x27;s lawyer and spokesperson, Atty. Ade Fajardo.</p><p>He issued the statement after Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Senator Panfilo Lacson said his panel will look into these reports.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/13/nup-chair-puno-members-to-take-legal-action-vs-barzaga-over-claims-they-received-bribes-1447"><strong>NUP members to take legal action vs Barzaga over claims they received &#x27;bribes&#x27; — Puno</strong></a></div><p>“Rep. Romualdez has no knowledge nor involvement in the purported transaction,” Fajardo said on Wednesday.</p><p>“Rep. Romualdez has not met the Discayas and has only heard of them based on what is being said in media reports. As such, the claim in the report about using the Discayas as a front in a property purchase is outright baseless,” he added.</p><p>Fajardo reiterated Curlee Discaya’s testimony before the House of Representatives last September 2025 where Discaya said he never had any transaction with Romualdez.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/18/dpwh-recommendation-against-romualdez-not-a-finding-of-guilt-lawyer-says-1727"><strong>DPWH recommendation against Romualdez &#x27;not a finding of guilt&#x27;, lawyer says</strong></a></div><p>“Mr. Discaya further explained that the Speaker’s name was merely being used or name-dropped by others, without any personal knowledge, meeting, or transaction on his part. This sworn testimony is part of the official congressional record and directly contradicts the insinuations now being revived in public discourse. Let us be reminded that allegations cannot override testimony given under oath. Facts cannot be replaced by speculation,” Fajardo stressed.</p><p>“Rep. Martin Romualdez respects institutional processes and is confident that any fair and evidence-based inquiry will ultimately prove him right,” he added. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aWj1NWsUDyA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div> </div>

<p>Claims that Leyte 1st District Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez supposedly used contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya as “front” to purchase a property in Makati City are “outright baseless”, according to Romualdez’s lawyer and spokesperson Atty. Ade Fajardo.</p>

Claims that Leyte 1st District Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez supposedly used contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya as “front” to purchase a property in Makati City are “outright baseless”, according to Romualdez’s lawyer and spokesperson Atty. Ade Fajardo.

Allegations claiming Romualdez used Discayas as 'front' in property purchase baseless, says lawyer

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Allegations claiming Romualdez used Discayas as 'front' in property purchase baseless, says lawyer

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 14, 2026 07:18 PM PHT

Read More:

Martin Romualdez

Sarah Discaya

flood control scandal

Blue Ribbon Committee

Ping Lacson

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

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.