APRIL 22, 2026 — Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez has broken his silence, firmly denying any role in the alleged corruption tied to the 2025 national budget and pointing instead to Senate President Chiz Escudero and former congressman Zaldy Co as the key figures in the bicameral deliberations. His fiery defense comes as accusations mount, with Romualdez insisting he will not be made the scapegoat in what he calls a “political demolition job.”

Romualdez, former House Speaker and now Leyte representative, categorically stated, “Let me say this categorically: I was not a part of the BiCam and the Small Committee budget deliberations. Yes, I was updated on the general outcomes of the deliberations, but I had no visibility with regard to the specific details of the discussions, including the particular amendments or insertions approved during these closed-door deliberations.”

He stressed that records will show he did not participate in the budget meetings, adding, “However, two people were instrumental in making those budget decisions: Chiz Escudero and Zaldy Co.”

Escudero, as Senate President, and Co, then chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, were central figures in the bicam deliberations. Romualdez emphasized that once the budget becomes law, implementation lies solely with the executive branch, particularly agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Legislators, he argued, have no hand in executing flood control projects or other infrastructure works.

Romualdez acknowledged public outrage, saying, “I understand the anger of the public. The Filipino people have every right to be angry because stolen public funds are taxes derived from hard-earned money. I’m not asking the public to look away. I’m asking everyone to look where the evidence points, not where it is politically convenient or politically motivated.”

Romualdez accused his critics of exploiting his silence, saying, “My silence is now being exploited with politically engineered and fabricated narratives. What’s even more disturbing — and this is something that cannot be ignored — is that there are emerging indications that certain sectors are attempting to weaponize individuals, including Zaldy Co, to construct a narrative that serves their own interests.”

He vowed to defend himself fully, vowing, “I will not allow myself to be turned into the scapegoat so that others who are actually accountable can walk away clean. If this is a political play to push me out and close the story, tarnishing my name and my reputation, then I am telling everyone now: I will not go quietly, and I will not go alone.”

For us eager for justice, this controversy is more than a clash of political heavyweights. It’s about trust in government, accountability in handling billions of pesos in taxpayer money, and whether corruption will once again be swept under the rug. Romualdez’s defiance raises uncomfortable questions: If the Speaker of the House claims he was sidelined, and the Senate President and appropriations chair are implicated, then who really holds the reins of power in shaping the national budget?

We all deserve clarity and accountability, not finger-pointing. And yet, the spectacle of politicians trading blame only deepens cynicism.

Which of these so-called public servants could we truly trust then? 

(Image: Screengrab from Martin Romualdez | Facebook)