Romualdez at ICI probe: I have nothing to hide

MANILA, Philippines — Former House speaker Martin Romualdez appeared before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) yesterday morning, in response to the fact-finding body’s invitation as part of the ongoing probe on anomalous flood control projects.

In a chance interview before he entered the hearing hall at the ICI office in Taguig at around 9:40 a.m., Romualdez thanked the ICI for the invitation to be a “resource person.”

“I am ready to give my personal knowledge on the budget process,” Romualdez said.

He expressed confidence that he would be vindicated in the end amid allegations of involvement in the flood control scandal.

“At the end of the day, it is evidence – not political noise or unfounded accusations – that will reveal what really happened. My presence here reflects my commitment to state the truth and not allow politics to prevail,” he said.

“I am here to cooperate fully and help uncover the truth. I’m not hiding anything and there is nothing for me to hide,” Romualdez added.

The Leyte 1st district congressman reiterated his purpose in appearing before the ICI, which was to “clarify the issues and share whatever information I can that may help the commission in its work.”

“While I was not part of the bicameral conference committee, whatever I know, I will share,” he noted.

Emerging from the hearing about two hours later, Romualdez said the ICI was a forum for facts and evidence.

“First of all, I want to thank the ICI. I’m very glad that I was invited to the ICI to share my personal knowledge on the budget process,” he said. “And of course, any information about the insertions on the (budget).”

“The ICI commissioners were able to ask me any questions and I was able to answer it… I feel very, very happy that I was given this opportunity,” he added.

Romualdez also noted his willingness to return to the ICI in case he is invited again.

Asked about the continued absence and failure of his close congressional ally, resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, to return to the country and face the ICI, Romualdez merely parried the questions by saying that the ICI was issuing invitations to personalities and he expected those invited to present themselves to the body.

“The witnesses that were presented are discredited already for having presented falsified documents... And the testimonies have already been denied,” Romualdez said.

Aside from Romualdez, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman also appeared before the ICI yesterday morning.

“The invitation to us was for the commission to understand the process of the NEP (National Expenditure Program) and how it becomes the GAA (General Appropriations Act),” Pangandaman told reporters after her appearance. “They also asked how the budget is released.”

Duterte: Martin as state witness a joke

Meanwhile, Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte has raised questions over reports that Romualdez may be considered a potential state witness in the government’s ongoing probe of anomlaous flood control projects.

In a statement issued on Friday, Duterte expressed disbelief at the reported development and questioned how such a move would affect the credibility of the government’s anti-corruption campaign.

“So, this is how it’s gonna be – Congressman Martin Romualdez is going to be ‘state witness?’ Biggest joke of the century,” he said in the vernacular.

Duterte said the idea of granting state witness status to a senior lawmaker allegedly linked to the same controversy could further erode public trust in the process.

“How is this going to be? You’ll turn your back on the President, your nephew and your lapdogs? Or you’ll invent some stories to divert the issues and save yourself… this is turning into a comedy show,” Duterte asked.

“You mean to tell the Filipino people that the one sitting at the top of the funding chains, the one whose name is whispered in every DPWH regional office, will suddenly turn state witness – against who, exactly? Himself?” he added.

Sen. Imee Marcos, Romualdez’s cousin, also scoffed at the idea of the latter turning state witness.

“What are they thinking? A state witness should be the one who is the least guilty,” she told reporters.

Palace: It’s DOJ’s call

It will be the call of the Depart ment of Justice (DOJ) whether Romualdez will be considered as a state witness in the ongoing ICI probe, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said yesterday.

“It depends on his statement and what information he can provide. It also depends on the DOJ whether he can be considered a state witness,” Castro said.

Romualdez, the President’s cousin, said he would fully cooper ate in uncovering irregularities in f lood control projects nationwide.

The President and Malacañang have said there will be no sacred cows in the inquiry into anomalous infrastructure projects that dragged some senators and congressmen into the corruption scandal.

Azurin slammed

Militant group Bagong Alyan sang Makabayan (Bayan) criticized ICI special adviser Rodolfo Azurin for allegedly “targeting” those protesting corruption instead of focusing on government officials accused of stealing public funds.

In a statement yesterday, Bayan said Azurin should “run after criminals and thieves in govern ment” rather than lecture flood victims and concerned citizens on how they should express outrage against large-scale corruption.

“His inaugural speech reveals a mindset that considers dissent against abuse of power as the problem instead of the impunity that allows systematic stealing in government,” the group said. — Delon Porcalla, Helen Flores, Bella Cariaso, Mark Ernest Villeza, Neil Jayson Servallos, Diana Lhyd Suelto, Roel Pareño