Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Monday warned that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez may eventually “shift to survival mode” and implicate his cousin, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., in the alleged anomalous flood control projects.
Panelo said Romualdez could drag the President into the controversy if pressured.
“Kung gagawin niya, tapos na ang boxing. Game over, lalong game over ‘yan,” he said in an interview.
Asked whether Romualdez would betray a relative, Panelo added: “Bakit naman hindi? Survival mode nga eh… Pag nasa bangin, hihilahin mo na ‘yung tumutulong sa’yo.”
His remarks followed new video releases by former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, who accused both Marcos and Romualdez of pocketing billions in alleged kickbacks from flood mitigation projects and claimed the President took a 25% cut from ₱100 billion in supposed budget insertions.
Panelo argued the Chief Executive cannot claim ignorance, saying he is “accountable” for his administration’s actions.
He also described Marcos as having political will despite perceptions: “Underneath the innocence, the party boy image, you’re dangerous.”
He further suggested that Marcos’ public stance against corruption—including calling out irregularities in his SONA—was a strategic effort to deflect suspicion.
“If you were the culprit… that’s your defense. How can he be a part of that? He’s the one who exposed himself.”