SENATOR Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero on Monday warned against political machinations orchestrated by former Speaker Martin Romualdez to weaken the Senate as an institution and endanger national security in the latter’s attempt to mislead the public and shield the real masterminds from accountability over the unprecedented scandal involving flood control projects.
In a privilege speech, Escudero called on his colleagues to collectively reject what he called “script and sarswela” designed to bring down the Senate by linking only senators while sparing members of the House of Representatives, who have direct control over the budget in more than 300 districts across the country, including funds intended for infrastructure and flood control projects.
After several Senate Blue Ribbon Committee public hearings, only Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co has been identified by witnesses among House members, while connecting six incumbent and former senators to the controversy.
“For that is what is happening now—selective justice and mob justice. Members of the Senate have been thrown off a cliff and before the court of public opinion in an attempt to mollify the people’s rage, thereby covering up the real perpetrators and giving them a chance to get away,” Escudero said.
“Mr. President, do not allow justice to be weaponized in the pursuit of selective accountability because this corrodes the legitimacy of the law before our people’s eyes. Walang naniniwala, at bagkus lahat nagtatanong: bakit walang congressman na kasama sa mga imbestigasyon?”
According to the veteran legislator, this deliberate campaign of selective justice and political manipulation by Romualdez is undermining the very foundation of the country’s democratic institutions due to the cover-up.
“I will defend myself, Mr. President, against these malicious and false allegations. In fact, I will be filing the necessary and appropriate charges against my accuser. And, with the help of the Almighty, I am confident that I will be vindicated and declared innocent,” Escudero declared.
Escudero, who has served in public office for over 27 years—15 of which were in the Senate—emphasized his unblemished record. “I have neither been accused nor charged with corruption. That is the sterling record which they are trying to tear down. They will not succeed.”
Escudero questioned the absence of Romualdez and other congressmen from ongoing investigations, despite being named in affidavits and testimonies. “Pasagutin at imbestigahan lahat ng ni-name drop na at mga nabanggit na congressman, senador, at iba pang opisyal. At dapat kasama dito si Martin Romualdez.”
He accused Romualdez of sowing discord across sectors to distract the public from his own wrongdoing.
“Ginoong Pangulo, hindi ba natin nakikita na pilit na pinag-aaway-away tayo? Mamamayan laban sa lingkod-bayan; lokal laban sa nasyonal na opisyal; congressman laban sa kapwa congressman; senador laban sa kapwa senador; pamilya laban sa pamilya; at Pilipino laban sa kapwa Pilipino. Tandaan po natin, mas madaling manipulahin ang nag-aaway at nagkakawatak-watak na bansa.”
The Bicolano senator stressed that Romualdez cannot escape accountability for pocketing taxpayers’ money following the testimony of retired Sgt. Orly Guteza, a former VIP security for Co, that he had delivered 37 pieces of luggage containing hard cash to the residence of Romualdez in Makati worth PHP1.7 billion.
And yet, Escudero lamented, Romualdez was not included in the recommendation of the Department of Justice or the National Bureau of Investigation for possible case nor in the freeze order by the Anti-Money Laundering Council of the assets of those who linked to allegedly anomalous projects.
“Ganito ba katindi ang kapangyarihang hawak ni Martin Romualdez? Tila ‘Da Name Dat Cannot Be Mentioned’ pa rin siya,” he pointed out. “Bakit kalahati lang ang iniimbestigahan? Pagdating naman kay Martin Romualdez, will ‘work on it’ lang?”
He also lamented the unequal standards applied to whistleblowers, citing the case of the Discaya witnesses who named multiple congressmen and Romualdez himself. “Bakit ang daming kondisyon bago ipasok ang mga Discaya sa witness protection?” he asked.
“Pero kapag sila Alcantara, Hernandez, at Bernardo, walang ganoong kaparehong kondisyon na hiningi?” Escudero said, referring to former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Engineers Henry Alcantara and Brice Hernandez, and former Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.
The Bicolano senator further questioned the selective scope of investigations. “Bakit si Bernardo, nag name-drop ng anim na pangalan, pero kalahati lang ang iniimbestigahan bagaman nakasulat ang mga pangalan na ito sa pareho at nag-iisang affidavit lamang?” he said, highlighting what he described as glaring inconsistencies.
Escudero expressed dismay over the disproportionate attention given to senators allegedly implicated by Hernandez. “Bakit interesado ang lahat sa anim na senador na idadawit kuno ni Brice Hernandez? Pero nung sinabi ni Brice na hindi pala senador kundi congressman ang papangalanan niyan, aba, biglang naglaho na parang bula ang atensyon dito.”
The narrative that the Senate is obstructing justice did not sit well with Escudero, arguing instead that it is being scapegoated for political convenience. “Are we truly for transparency and accountability? Or are we merely offering a politically-convenient sacrificial lamb?”
He reiterated his opposition to Romualdez’s alleged efforts to deflect scrutiny and destabilize institutions. In a forceful declaration, the former Senate chief stated: “Ako? Hindi ko kakampi si Martin Romualdez! Lalabanan ko siya at lahat ng panglilinlang niya!”
“Papatunayan ko na hindi totoo ang mga panggigipit ng testigo niya laban sakin! Tututulan ko ang paglilihis at dibersyon na ginagawa niya, palayo sa kaniya at sa Kamara! Hindi ko papayagang siraan ang mga senador, pag-away-awayin kami, at sirain ang institusyon ng Senado. At hindi ko papayagan na ikubli ang katotohanan, ‘di panagutin ang tunay na salarin, at ‘di makulong ang tunay na may kasalanan!” he pledged.
He further alleged that Romualdez blamed him for the removal of Co as House Appropriations Committee chair, the flagging of questionable projects, and the dismissal of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Naging tapat lang naman ako at ginawa ko lang kung ano ang tama para sa bansa at sambayanan,” Escudero said. “Subalit, sa kabila nito, nagsimula na ang lahat ng bira, paninira, at kaso laban sa akin at sa Senado.”
Escudero concluded his speech with a direct appeal to his colleagues and the public.
“Mga minamahal kong mga kababayan: Kung nais niyong lumitaw ang tunay na katotohanan; kung nais niyong na magkaroon ng tunay na pananagutan; att kung nais niyong makulong ang tunay na may kasalanan; huwag niyong ampihan Martin Romualdez,” he said.
“Punitin natin ang script, at higit sa lahat, huwag magpadala, huwag sabayan, at huwag maniwala sa sarswela ni Martin Romualdez!” he added as he vowed to continue defending the truth, protecting the Senate, and holding the real perpetrators accountable.
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