MANILA, Philippines — Former House Speaker and current Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has vowed to fight back against allegations linking him to a multi-billion peso corruption scandal involving the 2025 national budget and “ghost” flood control projects. In a video message released on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Romualdez asserted that he is being used as a “scapegoat” to shield other high-ranking officials from accountability.
The statement comes as a direct response to a mounting legal and political crisis that has already cost him the Speakership and led the Office of the Ombudsman to seek a freeze order on his assets.
Romualdez categorically denied any involvement in the creation of controversial budget insertions, specifically pointing toward the leadership of the 2025 budget deliberations:
- The “Two Masterminds”: Romualdez identified former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and former House Appropriations Chair Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co as the key decision-makers. He claimed they handled the bicameral conference committee and “small committee” sessions where the P142.7 billion in insertions were allegedly finalized.
- Lack of Visibility: While he was updated on the general outcomes, Romualdez stated he had “no visibility” regarding the specific amendments or insertions made behind closed doors.
- Executive Responsibility: He further argued that once a budget becomes law, the implementation of projects—including flood control—is the sole responsibility of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Executive branch, not legislators.
The legal pressure on the former Speaker intensified on Tuesday morning when Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced several restrictive measures:
- Singapore Travel Denied: Romualdez’s request to leave the country for a medical checkup in Singapore was rejected due to the ongoing investigation.
- Asset Freeze: The Ombudsman is actively seeking a freeze order on Romualdez’s properties and financial assets to ensure they are preserved during the graft inquiry.
- Selective Accountability: Romualdez criticized these moves as a “political demolition job,” claiming that investigators are ignoring sworn accounts pointing to other personalities in the chain of command.
The situation is further complicated by the status of Romualdez’s former ally, Zaldy Co:
- Arrest in Europe: Co was recently arrested by Czech Republic authorities while attempting to cross into Germany without proper travel documentation.
- “Weaponized” Narratives: Romualdez alleged that certain sectors are “weaponizing” individuals like Co to construct a false narrative of a grand conspiracy that blames him for the pocketed funds.
In a sharp warning to his political rivals, Romualdez made it clear that he intends to reveal more information if the probe continues to focus exclusively on him. “I will not go quietly, and I will not go alone,” he declared, calling for a “non-selective” investigation that pursues all leads across the legislative and executive branches.