HOUSE Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday firmly denied allegations raised during a Senate hearing, branding them as lies and malicious name-dropping meant to smear his integrity and undermine the House of Representatives.
“I cannot and will not allow lies and name-dropping to pass unchecked,” Speaker Romualdez said in response to the joint affidavit of the Discayas presented at the Senate hearing.
He added: “The claim in the Discaya couple’s affidavit that my name was used for commissions is false, malicious, and nothing more than name-dropping. Let me be clear: Wala akong kinalaman, wala akong pahintulot, at wala akong basbas sa mga ganyang gawain.”
The leader of the House of Representatives stressed that Congress only approves the budget and plays no role in releasing funds or implementing projects, including those carried out by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Congress debates and approves the budget. It does not release funds. It does not implement projects. That is the sole duty of the Executive and agencies like the DPWH,” he said.
The Speaker warned that anyone who invoked his name for money did so without his knowledge and must be held accountable.
“If anyone invoked my name, they did so without my knowledge and without my consent. At kung ginawa nila iyon para kumita, sila ang mandaraya at sila ang dapat managot,” he said.
The House chief drew a firm line against corruption.
“And I say this with all honesty: I have never, and I will never, accept a bribe from anybody. Walang sinuman ang kayang manuhol sa akin. Alam iyan ng lahat ng House Members. I am self-made, and I have been blessed with the trust of the Filipino people. I do not need—and will never allow myself—to be corrupted by money that does not belong to me,” he declared.
Speaker Romualdez vowed accountability for anyone exploiting his name, whether in or out of government.
“Kung may nang-abuso o gumamit ng pangalan ko para kumita, sila ang dapat managot—kahit sino pa sila, sa loob o labas ng gobyerno. But let us not allow lies and name-dropping to destroy reputations or weaken faith in Congress,” he warned.
“I will not allow falsehoods to tarnish my integrity or the institution I lead. Under my watch, we will clean the system, punish the guilty, and protect the people’s money,” Speaker Romualdez said.
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