MANILA — Leyte’s Cong. Martin Romualdez shifted the spotlight of the escalating 2025 national budget controversy to Malacañang, asserting that any alleged corruption tied to the spending plan should be pinned on the Executive branch, not Congress, as scrutiny over the issue intensifies.
Romualdez maintained that irregularities, if any, would have emerged during the implementation phase of the General Appropriations Act (GAA), which falls under the Executive’s authority.
“If corruption were to occur on the scale alleged in recent months, it is clear that it would not happen at the level of general legislative approval alone. It happens at the level of execution of the General Appropriations Act,” he said.
“That is why command responsibility is more logically attributed to the Executive branch, where there is actual supervision, operational control, and on-the-ground implementation, rather than to a collegial legislative body whose constitutional role is deliberation and appropriation,” he added.
The former House Speaker issued the statement as he firmly denied any involvement in the alleged anomalies hounding the 2025 budget, stressing that no evidence links him to plunder or related offenses.
His remarks came after the Office of the Ombudsman sought a preventive hold departure order (PHDO) against him before the Sandiganbayan in connection with an investigation into alleged plunder and money laundering tied to supposed anomalous infrastructure projects.
Romualdez had earlier requested permission to travel to Singapore for a medical procedure from April 20 to May 4, but the request — despite clearance from Speaker Faustino Dy III — was denied by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla.
He also distanced himself from the portion of the budget process where alleged insertions were made, emphasizing that he had no role in the bicameral conference committee or the smaller panel that finalized the measure.
“With respect to how the budget was deliberated in Congress, let me say this categorically: I was not a part of the BiCam and the Small Committee budget deliberations,” he said, adding that he was only informed of general outcomes and had no visibility on specific amendments.
Romualdez instead identified Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and House Appropriations Committee chair Zaldy Co as central figures in crafting the final budget.
“However, two people were instrumental in making those budget decisions: Chiz Escudero and Zaldy Co,” Romualdez said.
Amid accusations branding him as the “mastermind” of the alleged corruption, Romualdez pushed back, arguing that the national budget is the result of a constitutional process involving the Executive, the House of Representatives, and the Senate.
He also defended the integrity of projects in his Tacloban district, saying there are no “ghost projects” and noting that his constituency would have been the primary beneficiary if irregularities had indeed been orchestrated. He said documents related to these projects would be made public for scrutiny.
“I will not allow myself to be turned into the scapegoat so that others who are actually accountable can walk away clean,” he said. “I will not be the fall guy for other people’s corruption.”
Romualdez added that he is ready to face the allegations and has authorized the release of his affidavit and supporting documents in a bid to demonstrate transparency as investigations continue./PN
