Former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has dismissed Vice President Sara Duterte’s latest claim that, aside from flood control projects, he also receives kickbacks from illegal gambling operations.
In a statement, Romualdez branded Duterte’s allegations as “walang katotohanan” and “gawa-gawa lang ng imahinasyon.”
“Naririnig ko ang mga akusasyon. Diretsahan kong sasabihin: hindi totoo na ako’y tumatanggap mula sa ilegal na sugal,” Romualdez said.
He further called Duterte’s accusations “cheap,” pointing out that he has never faced any administrative or criminal case related to corruption.
“Sa isyung Okada/Delaware, malinaw: hindi ako kasali, hindi ako iniimbestigahan, at hindi ako akusado. Wala akong kinalaman sa kasong iyon, na away ng dalawang negosyo. Binabalik lang ngayon para siraan ako,” the former House leader stressed.
Romualdez also questioned Duterte’s credibility, noting that she herself is facing allegations of fund misuse.
“Nakakalungkot na ang mismong Bise Presidente, na inakusahan at na-impeach ng House dahil sa maling paggamit ng pondo, ay siya pang nagkakalat ng ganitong kasinungalingan. When the source itself has lost credibility, why should anyone believe these baseless claims?” he said.
It will be recalled that Vice President Duterte is facing an impeachment case over the alleged questionable spending of ₱625 million in confidential funds under her office. The case has since been archived in the Senate, pending the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Motion for Reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives.