A demolition job or scapegoating efforts may be underway against former Speaker Martin Romualdez ahead of his attendance before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) hearing on flood control anomalies, according to Deputy Speaker and Antipolo City Rep. Ronaldo ‘Ronnie’ Puno.
Puno’s statement came after reports claimed that a farm-to-market road project in Leyte was linked to alleged overpricing and misuse of public funds.
‘I think the timing is unfortunate because the former Speaker is going to speak before the Independent Commission tomorrow, so it seems like there’s a little demolition going on here,’ Puno said, speaking in Filipino, during an ambush interview on Monday.
‘There is scapegoating that is going on, and then people are pointing to others so that they can escape their responsibility,’ he explained in Filipino.
Puno pointed out that Department of Agriculture chief Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. himself mentioned ‘ghost’ and ‘substandard’ projects in other provinces, but none of those were in Leyte.
‘If you remember, he mentioned ghost projects; none are located there. He mentioned substandard projects; none are located there. So I don’t know where that report came from about the Leyte farm-to-market roads,’ he added.
Earlier, Romualdez signified his intention to appear before the ICI after the commission invited him to attend a hearing.
According to Romualdez, this is an opportunity to cooperate with the body tasked to probe anomalous infrastructure projects.
‘The Office of Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez confirms receipt today of the invitation from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI),’ Romualdez’s office said.
‘Rep. Romualdez welcomes the opportunity to cooperate with the Commission and fully supports its objective of promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance,’ it added.
‘In this regard, Rep. Romualdez is prepared to appear before the Commission.’
Earlier, the ICI sent an invitation to Romualdez and a subpoena to former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, requiring them to appear for the body’s flood control probe hearing on October 14.
ICI will also inquire about programs associated with the ghost or substandard flood control projects, as well as the procedures for releasing unprogrammed funds. /jpv