Congressman Martin Romualdez denies kickback money delivery to his home

• Leyte 1st District Rep Ferdinand Martin Romualdez denied allegations that he received kickbacks from infrastructure projects allegedly delivered to his McKinley residence

• He stressed that the house mentioned has been under renovation since January 2024 and was unoccupied, making the claims impossible

• The accusations came from a witness presented by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, whom Romualdez described as politically motivated and fabricated

• Romualdez said he has never benefited from kickbacks, vowed to present evidence, and assured the public he would never betray their trust

Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez strongly denied allegations that he received kickbacks from government infrastructure projects, which were allegedly delivered to his McKinley residence. Romualdez clarified that the said property has been under renovation since January 2024 and was unoccupied, making the claims “impossible.”

The accusations were brought up through the testimony of a witness presented by Senator Rodante Marcoleta — identified as Orly Regala Guteza, said to be a former security staffer of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co. Romualdez described Guteza’s statements as “an outright and complete fabrication,” stressing that they were politically motivated and the product of “coaching.”

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In a lengthy statement, Romualdez said:

“The so-called testimony of Sen. Marcoleta’s witness is an outright and complete fabrication—nothing more than a desperate attempt to link me to supposed kickbacks where none exist… The most telling flaw is the witness’ claim that deliveries were made to McKinley beginning December 2024. That’s impossible. That property has been under renovation since January 2024 and was unoccupied except for construction workers. Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus—false in one thing, false in everything…

This is clearly political and the product of coaching. I will not allow these perjurious statements to pass unchallenged. I will not let this slide. I repeat: I have never received or benefited from kickbacks in any infrastructure project. I have never authorized, instructed or allowed anyone to engage in any conduct that would betray the people or taint my name. I welcome a fair, transparent and impartial investigation to expose these falsehoods. I voluntarily resigned as speaker of the House of Representatives precisely to demonstrate my full support for the inquiry into flood control issues. I remained silent out of respect for the process, but now that my name has been maliciously dragged into this controversy. I will fight back — not with rhetoric, but with evidence. I’ve never stolen public funds. I don’t need money that comes from evil sources… To the Filipino people, I give you this solemn assurance: I will never betray your trust.”

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Aside from Congressman Romualdez, there have been other high-profile politicians who have already denied the allegations of receiving kickbacks from infrastructure projects.

Earlier, Makati Mayor Nancy Binay denied allegations that she accepted kickbacks from DPWH flood control projects and said the accusations were meant to divert attention from the real perpetrators of corruption. Former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo had accused Binay along with Francis Escudero Zaldy Co and Bong Revilla of benefiting from infrastructure anomalies. In her statement Binay said the claims were false and emphasized that her record in public service has always been clean and above board.

Also earlier, Senator Francis Escudero also rejected Bernardo’s claims, calling them baseless and malicious. He stressed that he has never been involved in any form of corruption, saying that he will be redeemed when all the facts are revealed.

Source: KAMI.com.gh