The most dominant party in the House of Representatives asserted Tuesday its ‘full, unwavering confidence’ in its president and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez as he faces a fresh wave of allegations involving graft-riddled insertions in the 2025 national budget.
In a statement, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) maintained that no sworn testimony, validated proceeding, or audit finding has indicated that Romualdez took part in any wrongdoing.
‘Attempts to drag his name into the controversy have relied heavily on shifting narratives and claims aired in venues where they are not tested, examined, or supported by documentation,’ said the 109-strong party in the House.
The party’s statement comes after resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co implicated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Romualdez in getting P56 billion in kickbacks from P100 billion worth of insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
Co made his allegations in a three-part video series uploaded on Facebook, where he claimed to have come clean even though Romualdez threatened to ‘shoot him’ if he talked.
Romualdez himself has already denied the accusations and said he was confident that he would be cleared by investigating bodies.
His ‘willingness to cooperate in any lawful process,’ his party added, was ‘consistent with the attitude of a public servant who has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.’
The Lakas-CMD leaders also maintained that Romualdez ‘consistently deferred’ to the House Committee on Appropriations and the bicameral conference committee during his tenure as Speaker and did not participate in the preparation, negotiation, or endorsement of individual budget items.
‘[We] reject efforts to weaponize allegations for political ends or to draw individuals into controversies where their names do not belong,’ read the statement.
Among the signatories were Quezon Rep. David Suarez, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, Isabela Rep. Tonypet Albano, Butuan Rep. Jose Aquino, Manila Rep. Ernesto Dionisio, Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun, Albay Rep. Adrian Salceda, Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, Cebu Rep. Eduardo Rama, Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan, Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison, Camiguin Rep. Jesus Romualdo, Davao de Oro Rep. Carmen Zamora, and Cotabato Rep. Alana Taliño Santos.