Aside from alleged kickbacks in flood control projects, Vice President Sara Duterte has also accused former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez of receiving money from “illegal gambling.”
Duterte made the claim during a press conference after attending the Senate Committee on Finance hearing on the proposed ₱902.895-million budget of the Office of the Vice President for 2026.
“Hindi lang sa flood control, pati sa ano…sa illegal gambling tumatanggap sila. Si Martin Romualdez. So hindi lang siya sa flood control,” Duterte alleged.
She further remarked, “Baka kasi ‘yung tao na nagtrabaho nu’ng ‘basura,’ flood control ‘yung pera na tina-transport nila. Pero marami pang iba pang mga sources ng corruption na idine-deliver.”
According to the Vice President, she has long been aware of the alleged corruption involving Romualdez, who is a cousin of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“Matagal naman namin na alam yan dahil matagal na yan pinag-uusapan, simula pa lang nung pagpasok namin as President and Vice President, naririnig na namin yung delivery ng mga pera na nakalagay sa mga suitcases,” Duterte revealed.