Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson confirmed on Sunday that former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez is listed in the draft report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigating alleged flood control fund anomalies.
“Recommended siya doon. Mali ’yung nagsasabi na hindi namin siya ni-recommend,” Lacson said in a radio interview.
Lacson clarified that Romualdez is in the committee’s second category—individuals whose names were mentioned during the investigation but for whom there is no direct evidence of receiving funds.
“Kasama siya doon sa second category. Parang magka-lump sila ni dating Senate President Francis Escudero. Nabanggit ang mga pangalan nila, pero walang direktang ebidensya na tumanggap sila ng pera,” Lacson noted.
The senator cited allegations from former public works official Guteza, who claimed to have delivered large sums of money to former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co and Romualdez.
However, Lacson emphasized that there was no acknowledgment or proof that Romualdez actually received any kickbacks.
“Although sinabi ni Guteza na nag-deliver siya ng limpak-limpak kay Zaldy Co at Speaker Romualdez, wala namang acknowledgment,” he said.
Romualdez has yet to respond to Lacson’s statement.