Joselito Malig

Article (news)

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Opposition Sen. Imee Marcos expressed skepticism over President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement that cases are being prepared against their cousin, former Speaker Martin Romualdez. She reacted to the President’s penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA), the first in which Romualdez was no longer seated beside the Chief Executive at the rostrum.“Pawang pambubudol na naman ang sinabi ng Pangulo na malapit nang sampahan ng kaso ng Ombudsman si dating Speaker Martin Romualdez. Nakakapagtaka lang na kung gaano kabilis maghain ng kaso laban sa mga senador na tutol sa administrasyon ay siya namang kay kupad ng hustisyang mag-apruba at magrekomenda ng hatol para sa mga kilalang kaalyado ng pamahalaan. Hindi mag-isa si Martin Romualdez sa malawakang korapsyon ng pera at kapangyarihan. Hindi siya ang simula at hindi siya ang dulo, at kung siya ang ipipilit, ibig bang sabihin, PINATAKBO NIYANG MAG-ISA ANG GOBYERNONG ITO? Anyare na sa “MAHIYA NAMAN KAYO” -eh ligtas pa rin naman ang mga walang hiya,” Senator Marcos said on social media.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/27/marcos-says-multiple-charges-vs-romualdez-to-be-filed-soon-1621">&#x27;Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya&#x27;: Marcos says multiple charges vs Romualdez to be filed soon </a> </div>Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo, however, said the panel would no longer pursue an investigation into Romualdez.“Kasi what is the purpose na maiimbestigahan kami sa blue ribbon? Eh kung may kaso na sa Ombudsman. Eh para namang pinaghihimasukan namin ang trabaho. We’re, the blue ribbon uh, conduct hearings in aid of legislation, not for prosecution. It’s a job of the Ombudsman. ’Yun ang paulit-ulit ko nang sinasabi. Eh pano ’yung mga iba, ’yung mga congressman at saka contractor? DOJ, DOJ ’yung nagkaso sa kanila eh. Andun sa DOJ ang kaso nila. ’Yung mga kasamahan kong senador at saka ilang contractor, sila Speaker, sila Zaldy Co dito sa Ombudsman. So anong panghihearing natin? ’Yun ang problema,” he said.Tulfo said he hopes the filing of cases would satisfy critics who have been calling for “big fish” to be held accountable in the alleged flood control anomalies. “I hope so, nakukulangan kasi sabi dahil pinsan siya. Kaya nga bahala na ’yung Ombudsman,” he said.The senator also said the Blue Ribbon Committee would expand its anti-corruption investigation.Tulfo, however, disclosed that some individuals have already been urging him not to expand the probe. “Ngayon, eh pinag-uusapan na ’yung sinasabi ni Sen Lacson, eh kailangan iimbestigahan. Eh may mga nakikiusap naman sa akin na ’wag na lang daw eh. &#x27;Di ko alam,” he said.“Kaya nga yon sasabihin na maghi-hearing, maghi-hearing sa flood control. May, may nakikiusap na ngayon sa akin na baka pwede raw ’wag na mag-hearing. Sabi ko, eh kayo naman nag sabi na mag-hearing tayo. Ngayon, ayaw niyo nang mag-hearing, why? &#x27;Di ko maintindihan.” <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/7/27/marcos-says-cagayan-to-host-spaceport-pax-silica-as-ticket-to-ai-industry-1914">Marcos says Cagayan to host spaceport, Pax Silica as ticket to AI industry</a></div>Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri welcomed the President’s remarks on his cousin.“Sa opening five minutes pa lang, tumpak na ang gusto kong mapakinggan. Na, na magkakaroon talaga ng big fish na, ah, well makakasama dito sa mga kaso dito sa flood control. Ah, ang magandang binanggit ng Pangulo, na kahit po pamilya, masakit man sa kanya, ay tutuluyan pa rin niya. So, ah, maganda po ’yan. Mensahe sa taumbayan na walang sasantuhin dito sa issue ng flood control,” he said.Sen. Risa Hontiveros also welcomed that part of the President’s speech. “That was the first major statement sa SONA ni Presidente na na-appreciate ko.Yung sinabi nilang, “Hindi ako pangulo ng pamilya ko lang. Hindi ako pangulo ng mga kaibigan ko lang.” That is something that a president should really say and should act out,” said Hontiveros.Tulfo likewise welcomed several policy proposals outlined by the President.“Una, ang problema sa labis na pagtaas ng singil sa kuryente. Bilang kasalukuyang chairman ng Senate Committee on Energy, inumpisahan na po natin ang mga pagdinig sa EPIRA Law amendments. Sisikapin po nating maisabatas ito at tuluyan nang tanggalin ang dagdag pasakit sa konsyumer kagaya ng system loss charge at buwis,” said Tulfo.“At panghuli, kaisa po tayo ng Administrasyon sa pagtatanggol ng ating soberanya. Atin ang West Philippine Sea. Hindi tayo pasisiil.”Zubiri also backed the President’s proposal to remove the systems loss charge. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/7/27/major-railways-to-begin-operating-next-year-marcos-1719" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Major railways to begin operating next year— Marcos </a> </div>“For example, yung pagbaba ng, ah, presyo ng kuryente. Na tatanggalin na po natin yung, ah, systems loss. Naku, lahat po tayo dito, lahat po tayo makikinabang niyan. Lahat ng bill ninyo, ng Meralco, lahat ng bill ninyo sa probinsya babawasan ang pre– ng, ah, ng presyo at ah, bababa ang presyo ng kuryente ninyo. Malaking bagay ’yan. And of course, many other things that he mentioned, um, uh, that, uh, are marching orders to Congress to pass. Ah, gagawin po, gaga- gagawin po natin ’yan,” said Zubiri.Hontiveros also supported the President’s proposal to remove systems loss charges but said broader reforms to the EPIRA Law are still needed.Sen. Francis Pangilinan also welcomed the administration’s emphasis on agriculture and food security. “By prioritizing agriculture and food security, this administration is recognizing the challenges faced by our agriculture sector and the imperative to act right now. Food security must remain at the heart of our national agenda,” he said.“Napakatagal nang panahon dala-dala ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda ang responsibilidad ng pagpapakain sa atin habang patuloy na nagkukulang ang gobyerno sa pagbibigay ng suporta sa kanila. It is encouraging to hear agriculture take its rightful place in the country’s development priorities,” he aded.Despite welcoming some of the President’s proposals, Hontiveros said the speech still fell short in several areas.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/27/-we-are-not-racists-not-liars-marcos-says-ph-won-t-abandon-arbitral-award-1754">&#x27;We are not racist, not liars&#x27;: Marcos says PH &#x27;won&#x27;t abandon&#x27; arbitral award</a></div>“I was always looking for more,” she said.“Ah, inintay ko rin na, na may mga resibo pa, noh, so hindi lang ulat pero resibo sa kung paano, ah, giginhawa pa ang buhay ng mga pamilyang Pilipino. Halimbawa sa larangan ng agrikultura, although binanggit ni Presidente na, ah, mataas pa rin ang ani, halimbawa sa palay, pero yung aning iyan ay, ah, itinanim ang mga binhi bago sumipa itong matinding problema natin sa tubig. Alam naman natin dalawang beses sa isang taon nagtatanim ang ating mga magsasaka.” <div>ABSENT</div>Several senators were absent during the President’s SONA.Former Senate President Vicente Sotto III skipped the event due to illness.Tulfo also explained the absence of several senators.“Andun, andun si Camille. Si Tito Sen nag sabi na kanina na masama pakiramdam niya. And I think si Sen. Lacson meron inasikasong I think that’s very important,&quot; he said. &quot;Pero yung minority, hindi naman talaga nag-attend ang minority.”<div>  </div>

Opposition Sen. Imee Marcos expressed skepticism over President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement that cases are being prepared against their cousin, former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Opposition Sen. Imee Marcos expressed skepticism over President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement that cases are being prepared against their cousin, former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Imee on Martin: 'Pinatakbo niyang mag-isa ang gobyernong ito?'

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Imee on Martin: 'Pinatakbo niyang mag-isa ang gobyernong ito?'

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 27, 2026 11:29 PM PHT

Read More:

Imee Marcos

Martin Romualdez

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

SONA

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