JANUARY 19, 2026 — Two witnesses walked into the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing this January 19 and dropped a bombshell that could shake the foundations of power. “Mary” and “Joy,” both claiming to be office staff of Rico Ocampo — the original owner of the South Forbes property — pointed directly at detained contractor Curlee Discaya as the man who facilitated the sale of the house allegedly acquired by former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

The property in question? No. 30 Tamarind Street, South Forbes, Makati. A high-end address, now tangled in the web of the flood control scandal. 

According to the witnesses, Discaya was introduced to them by a broker, TJ Conti, on February 1, 2024. The next day, when they begged for more time to retrieve belongings from the house, Discaya allegedly told them the new owner was none other than Speaker Romualdez.

“We had a lengthy talk with him because we appealed to extend our stay because there were so many things that we need to bring from the house,” one witness testified.

“But he argued that he too has a deadline to meet. And then we both asked if we can talk to the new owner of the house and then he mentioned it was Speaker Romualdez who bought the house,” “Mary” added.

They said they recognized Discaya’s face during Senate hearings on the flood control anomalies. 

“We already mentioned that to our boss when his face appeared in TV,” they recalled. “We remember his face because he personally directed everything to expedite our removal from the house.”

Discaya, however, flatly denied the accusations: “Your honor, we’ve never stepped foot inside South Forbes Park.”

Is Romualdez finally cornered?

Is this the nail that finally connects Romualdez directly to the Dicayas and the flood control scam? 

For months, the public has been fed bits and pieces of testimony, allegations, and denials. But this latest revelation feels different — it’s personal, it’s specific, and it drags the scandal right into the gated streets of Makati.

If Romualdez truly used the Dicayas as a “front” to acquire property, as Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson suggested, then we’re staring at a case that goes beyond flood control projects. It’s about influence, privilege, and the lengths powerful figures go to hide their tracks.

Do you believe the witnesses, or are they just pawns in a bigger political game — because if their story holds, then Romualdez’s shadow over the flood control scandal just got a whole lot darker.

(Image: Senate of the Philippines | Facebook)