Former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez had encouraged Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co to come back to the Philippines and respond to corruption claims tied to questionable infrastructure projects, according to Deputy Speaker Janette Garin.
In an Inquirer.net report, Garin revealed that Romualdez had “conveyed his desire” for Co to return, especially after both lawmakers were accused of taking kickbacks from companies owned by contractors Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya. She noted that House leaders initially expected Co’s return within two weeks, but his absence stretched on.
“That is what pushed him — I’m not sure, though, but maybe possibly it can be one of the reasons for Speaker Martin Romualdez to tender his resignation, because he does not want — it’s actually a selfless act,” Garin said, adding that Romualdez did not want the House “to be dragged down by unanswered questions.”
Romualdez formally stepped down on Wednesday, stressing the need to restore public trust in Congress. “Ang ating mga kababayan ay naghahangad ng linaw, at higit sa lahat, ng tiwala. Tungkulin nating ito’y maibalik. The longer I stay, the heavier that burden grows — on me, on this House, and on the president I have always sought to support,” he declared before colleagues.
Garin maintained that Co should face the allegations directly rather than allow speculation to spread. “It will be best for the person being accused… to personally answer. It is hard to base it on hearsay,” she said, noting that unresolved controversies make it harder for lawmakers to fulfill their duty to their constituents.
The controversy stems from the Discayas’ testimony before the Senate blue ribbon committee, where they claimed that some House members demanded cuts from public funds and alleged that Romualdez and Co were expecting as much as 25 percent from infrastructure allocations.
Romualdez, however, dismissed the couple’s claims as “false, malicious, and nothing more than name-dropping.” The scandal has already shaken leadership in both chambers of Congress, with Senate President Francis Escudero also stepping down earlier this month over campaign donation issues linked to contractors.
