Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said a company owned by an individual connected to former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez was the registered buyer of a high-end property in a gated subdivision in Makati City.
“I obtained copies of the deed of absolute sale and the checks used in the payment,” Lacson said in a radio interview.
Lacson disclosed that two individuals are prepared to testify when the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee resumes its probe into allegedly anomalous flood control projects on January 19. He said the witnesses would state that government contractor Curlee Discaya had “fronted” for Romualdez in the property acquisition.
He clarified that Discaya was not named as the buyer, but that the purchasing firm was owned by an individual with “ties” to the former House leader.
Lacson earlier alleged that Curlee and his wife, Sarah Discaya, served as Romualdez’s dummies in the transaction.
“We would like to clarify persistent reports that former Speaker Martin Romualdez had purchased a house and lot in a plush subdivision in Makati City using the Discayas as front,” Lacson said during the “Kapihan sa Senado” forum.
“Name your price yung usapan. Gusto natin maliwanagan kung magkano talaga nagkabentahan,” he added.
Lacson said the former owner of the property is willing to cooperate and testify, confirming that Romualdez acquired the house with the Discayas’ help “through third parties.
“If verified to be true, this could possibly establish a direct connection between the former Speaker and the Discayas. In this regard, we may invite the former owner of the property to shed light (on this matter),” he said.
“But these are, of course, did not come, so to speak, (straight) from the horse’s mouth. Kaya gusto natin maimbitan mismo yung former owner na siya na mismo magsabi na ang kausap niya mga Discaya,” Lacson added.
“Hindi lang isang source ito. Maraming sources ito. I’ve spoken to at least three sources na pare-pareho yung sinasabi.”