THE SUSPENSE is over! Without any ifs or buts, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, figuratively dropped a political bombshell by directly addressing the much-talked-about flood control scandal.
The President trained the spotlight squarely on his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Romualdez, Leyte’s 1st District congressman, has become one of the central figures in the widely criticized flood control controversy.
“Masakit man sa akin ito, ngunit kailangan nating gawin ito. Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya. Hindi rin ako pangulo ng akin mga kaibigan. Ako ay pangulo ng taong bayan,” the President said.
That Tagalog statement from Marcos was, indeed, heartbreaking. But it did not come as a shock to the nation. Many had already expected it.
Hours before the fifth SONA, Congress was already abuzz with speculation that Marcos would publicly identify personalities allegedly linked to the controversy. I was at Congress that day, and the speculation was impossible to ignore. And, yes, it happened.
‘MAHIYA NAMAN KAYO!’
Rewind: Marcos’ exposé re: flood control brouhaha started in his 4th SONA last year. It was highlighted by his striking Tagalog line: “Mahiya naman kayo!”
Such a striking-turned-lingering line of the President referred to his fellow politicians, high-ranking government officials, project contractors and others who reportedly amassed people’s money out of flood control projects.
As the probe progresses and widens, several “big-shots” were involved, including Sen. Jingoy Estrada, former senator Bong Revilla, former Ako Bicol party-list congressman Zaldy Co, top honchos at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), billionaire contractors – couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya, among others.
Prior to Romualdez, the latest well-known name also dragged in the flood control mess was Uswag Ilonggo party-list representative James “Jojo” Ang Jr.
Both Romualdez and Ang were no-shows at the President’s 5th SONA.
CLEAR CONSCIENCE
As expected, Romualdez refuses to be the fall guy in the flood control issue. As usual, he insists his conscience is clear. Thus, his response to his cousin’s allegation: “Masakit man ito sa aming pamilya, iginagalang ko ang naging pahayag ng Pangulo. Hindi ako kailan man humingi ng pabor or espeyal na pagtrato. Sang-ayon ako na gawin natin ang tama. Ang tama ay ang sumunod sa proseso at hayaan ang ebedensya magsalita. Naninindigan akong wala akong ginawang labag sa batas. At handa akong patunayan ito.”
The ex-House Speaker also vowed to cooperate with any investigations and he said he is willing to submit evidence to prove his innocence.
But question: Will Romualdez be arrested and jailed, too?
KENYATTA-ODINGA WAR
I did a research, and it led me to know that the current Marcos-Romualdez war over kickbacks or corruption issues is not new. In Kenya, in 2015 to 2016, there was this infamous political war of two relatives over corruption also. They’re Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga – distantly related through Kenyan tribal/political lineages. Their battles centered on governance and corruption allegations, highlighted by their daily verbal sparring.
Odinga was politically rabid that time, accusing Kenyatta of being incapable of stopping mega-scandals in their country.
Worse, Odinga also accused Kenyatta of protecting corrupt officials, and whitewashing graft within state departments.
‘ASTA DIIN?’
Now, with the Philippine version of Kenyatta-Odinga war version, many are asking: Asta diin? (How far will it go?)
The cousins’ war series between Marcos and Romualdez is now inevitable at all angles.
Marcos, the way he projects in his last two years as the country’s top politico, simply wants to redeem their family’s name and reputation. He wants to get rid of corruption. He admonishes corrupt government officials.
Then, Romualdez is poised to be sacrificial lamb or scapegoat. But will Romualdez accept his fate?
On Facebook, many netizens cast their comments that everything happening between Marcos and Romualdez is just a cousins’ drama.
For me, it could be for others, but couldn’t be for many. Well, let’s tell it as it is. The issue is corruption. People hate corruption. With the current economic crunch, Filipinos want to burry alive six feet below the ground any politician proven to be corrupt. Because for millions of Filipinos, corrupt politicians cause their daily misery.
‘RESBAK’
Romualdez, at all costs, will find ways how to protect his name, family, reputation and credibility. Thus, let’s expect a “resbak” (revenge).
Romualdez was previously the House Speaker. If the flood scandal stemmed from budget insertions as allegedly architected by Co, then who has the final say about the annual budget of the country? Romualdez or Marcos?
Let us be honest: No President anywhere in the world can simply dodge accountability when we talk about national expenditures or the annual budget. The President always has the last say when it comes to a proposed annual budget – to veto or approve it.
God bless the Philippines!/PN
