Former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has expressed openness to attend the Senate’s Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the multibillion-peso flood control controversy, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III confirmed Thursday night.
In a televised interview, Sotto said he recently spoke with Romualdez over the phone and found him “positive” about the idea of appearing before the inquiry into what has been described as one of the country’s worst corruption scandals.
“We had a call… I mentioned (to him) that there is a possibility that we can send an invitation… Just in between chit-chats,” Sotto shared.
“He was quite positive about it. I did not notice any pessimism,” he added when asked about Romualdez’s reaction.
The Senate leader said Romualdez appeared willing to cooperate but would likely study his potential testimony, particularly regarding alleged budget insertions that funded questionable projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Pressed if Romualdez was open to personally attending the hearing, Sotto replied: “Yes, we ended into that possibility. ‘Sige, pag-aralan natin.’”
He also brushed off speculation that he was shielding the former Speaker, emphasizing that inter-parliamentary courtesy should not be mistaken for protection.
“I have never protected anyone. It is not in my nature to do so,” Sotto said.
Sotto further disclosed that Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is expected to return as Blue Ribbon Committee chair, following his resignation last month amid internal disagreements on how the investigation was being conducted.