MANILA, Philippines — Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez should be judged based on concrete evidence rather than unsubstantiated claims, Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua asserted on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Chua’s statement comes in the wake of recent Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings where witnesses alleged connections between Romualdez and controversial government contractors.
The “Name-Dropping” Allegations The controversy stems from a January 19 Senate inquiry into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
- The Claim: Two witnesses alleged that Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya, a contractor, had name-dropped Romualdez as the supposed buyer of a multi-million peso house in the exclusive Forbes Park subdivision in Makati.
- The Denial: During the same hearing, Discaya vehemently denied the accusation, stating he had never even entered Forbes Park.
- Lack of Paper Trail: The committee noted that no deeds of sale, contracts, or payment records bearing Romualdez’s name were presented to support the claims.
Due Process and Reforms Representative Chua emphasized that “repeating a claim does not strengthen it—evidence does,” noting that Romualdez has consistently submitted himself to official scrutiny.
- Scapegoating vs. Reform: Chua argued that the investigation into infrastructure issues should focus on building better safeguards and systems rather than “scapegoating” individuals without proof. “If evidence exists, present it. If none exists, stop naming people,” the solon said in a statement.
- Senate Acknowledgment: Chua also expressed gratitude to Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Panfilo Lacson for acknowledging during the proceedings that there is currently no evidence directly implicating the former speaker in the controversy.
Ongoing Inquiry The Senate investigation into the flood control projects continues as part of a broader effort to address long-standing corruption allegations in the public works sector. While the name-dropping allegations have dominated headlines, legislative allies of Romualdez maintain that the focus should remain on policy reforms to ensure transparency in the implementation of vital infrastructure projects.