VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte doubled down on her earlier assertions about former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s involvement in the massive corruption in government infrastructure projects.
Her statements came in the wake of former Senate President Francis Escudero’s scathing privilege speech naming Romuadez as the mastermind behind the attempt to impeach the vice president.
In a statement titled, “One day, the floodwaters of truth and accountability will flow all the way to Malacañan,” the vice president claimed the latest reports align with prior allegations of bribery against the speaker, a first cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Duterte specifically referenced court proceedings in the United States where Romualdez’s name has “surfaced time and again whenever questions of corruption are raised.”
The “heavy luggage” allegations
Duterte’s claim rests on documents from the Delaware Court of Chancery case, 26 Capital Corp v Tiger Resort Asia LTD (C.A. No. 2023-0128- JTL), involving the Okada Manila casino.
Duterte said Romualdez’s name appeared no less than 17 times across several pages. She highlighted the court’s rejection of the claim that “heavy luggage” delivered to Romualdez contained only documents, suggesting the content was highly suspicious.
“His name has surfaced time and again whenever questions of corruption are raised,” the Vice President.
Duterte argued that this “disturbing pattern” lends credibility to the recent testimony of retired Marine Sergeant Orly Regala Guteza, who testified on the weekly delivery of suitcases containing basura (garbage, used as slang for cash) to Romualdez.
Meanwhile, the vice president took the opportunity to question President Marcos Jr.’s leadership decisions and perceived lack of action on accountability.
She stated she has “repeatedly questioned the judgment of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in choosing Martin Romualdez as Speaker of the House of Representatives — especially after the Delaware Court ruling was issued.”
VP Duterte also criticized the recent government actions regarding a probe into flood-control projects, accusing the President of maintaining control over a newly created Independent Commission on Infrastructure, despite recent changes in congressional leadership.
“One day, the floodwaters of truth and accountability will flow all the way to Malacañan. And on that day, the Filipino people will finally decide that we deserve better.”
Romualdez dismisses VP Duterte
In response to the vice president’s latest accusations, Romualdez asserted that Duterte has lost all credibility and her claims should be disregarded.
“When the source itself has lost credibility, why should anyone believe these baseless claims?” Romualdez said, referring to the Vice President’s recent tirade.
