MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio reignited controversy over alleged corruption involving former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, saying it was “not odd” for him to receive “heavy luggages” stuffed with cash — linking him anew to the Okada Manila case and to fresh kickback allegations tied to flood control projects.
Speaking at a press conference in the Senate, Duterte-Carpio recalled the 2023 filing in Delaware Chancery Court, where U.S.-listed 26 Capital Acquisition claimed executives of Universal Entertainment delivered “heavy luggage” to Romualdez in an attempt to secure his support in a multibillion-dollar battle for control of Okada Manila.
“Hindi na ako nagulat,” the Vice President remarked. “Hindi siya odd for Martin Romualdez because he was already involved in ‘heavy luggages’ in the Okada case.”
She added: “Kung naalala ninyo sa State of Delaware in the US, nabanggit na ang pangalan niya doon na tumatanggap ng pera na nakalagay sa luggages. Ganoon talaga ang modus nila.”
The casino complex at the center of the dispute is a 40-hectare resort valued at $2.6 billion.
Her remarks came on the heels of testimony last week from a security consultant for Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who alleged that he personally delivered suitcases of cash to Romualdez’s residences, supposedly as kickbacks from flood control projects.
OVP budget breezes through Senate
Despite the controversy, the Senate Committee on Finance on Monday swiftly approved the proposed ₱902.895-million budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2026, invoking parliamentary courtesy. The deliberation lasted less than an hour.
Duterte-Carpio defended her office’s record and plans, declaring that the OVP “stands resolutely as a people’s institution.”
“Despite challenges, nothing has so far been insurmountable enough to take OVP off its track, derail its course, or completely incapacitate the institution and stop it from serving the interests of the people,” she told senators.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri moved for the approval, saying the proposed budget was already “lean and mean,” a motion seconded by Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa./PN
