Facing the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) on Tuesday, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez denied allegations that he received kickbacks in the implementation of government infrastructure projects.
ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka bared this development following the conclusion of Romualdez’s first appearance in the ICI’s closed-door hearings.
According to Hosaka, ICI commissioners asked Romualdez about allegations thrown against him, particularly how he allegedly had money delivered to him in exchange for infrastructure deals.
Romualdez, however, refuted the accusations.
‘He was asked, and he denied,’ said Hosaka.
Hosaka said ICI commissioners also tried to pry Romualdez to deduce his involvement over the flood control corruption scandal.
‘Of course, we are looking into what really happened and him being the speaker, the leader of the House at that time, will be able to provide us with important information,’ he said.
‘As far as role is concerned or possible liability or accountability, that is up to the commission to decide,’ he added.
ICI to invite Romualdez back, other lawmakers
Meanwhile, Hosaka said the ICI will invite Romualdez back to its hearings, along with other lawmakers involved in the creation of the national budget.
This, said Hosaka, is based on the information Romualdez provided during Tuesday’s hearing, as well as due to an affidavit voluntarily submitted by the former speaker.
‘That’s why what the commission did was invite him back so that questions could be asked regarding that affidavit-so he will return again next week,’ he added.
Hosaka explained that the information provided by Romualdez during the hearing was ‘helpful’ as he was able to clarify his and his colleagues’ role in the deliberations on the national budget.
‘So these people will be invited soon to shed light on their participation on the budget preparation which also pertains to the anomalous flood control projects,’ he said.
Hosaka, however, refused to divulge the names of the lawmakers who will be invited by the commission.
This is Romualdez’s first time to attend a hearing in the ICI, the investigative body in charge of investigating not only corruption in flood control projects, but also all national government infrastructure works over the past 10 years.
Romualdez attended the hearing after being subpoenaed by the commission to ‘discuss his familiarity and personal knowledge as Speaker of the House relative to the National Budget insertions, and as well as the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) flood control projects.’
The former speaker is also among the lawmakers implicated in the flood control corruption scandal after a former security consultant of former Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Zaldy Co accused him of allegedly receiving kickbacks from government projects-an allegation he has since denied. /apl