EDITORIAL-NEWS2VIEWS | Is PBBM Preparing to Quit as Prez? Turn over seat to Sara? | MANILA: ‘DDS script’ or scathing exposé? Escudero, Romualdez trade verbal blows

MANILA, Philippines — Once standing side by side as the highest leaders of Congress, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Sen. Francis Escudero traded verbal blows over the flood control corruption scandal that implicated both of them.

Escudero has been accused of receiving kickbacks from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) while Romualdez has also allegedly received corruption money from resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co.

At the Senate’s Monday plenary session, Escudero delivered a speech accusing Romualdez of filing an impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte to activate the House of Representatives’ “for-later release” funds, or FLR, for the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.

“Ginamit ni Martin Romualdez ang FLR — at ang pangalan ni Pangulong Marcos — upang itulak ang kanilang unconstitutional na impeachment complaint. Sabi nila: pumirma kayo! Dahil kung hindi, hindi ilalabas ang inyong pondo na naka-FLR bago mag eleksyon,” Escudero said. (Martin Romualdez used the FLR—and the name of President Marcos—to push their unconstitutional impeachment complaint. They said: sign! Because if not, your funding for the FLR will not be released before the elections.)

Romualdez appeared unfazed by the accusations, saying that the former senate president was deflecting.

“With respect, what we heard was not an exposé but a DDS (Diehard Duterte) script — the same recycled accusations we have long seen on troll pages and social media posts,” Romauldez said.

Romualdez said Escudero has failed to answer the serious questions he must face.

With Duterte herself present in the Senate’s plenary session during Escudero’s speech, Romualdez said it showed where his loyalties lie.

“It was a performance designed to profess loyalty and service to Vice President Sara Duterte, and to position himself as her ally for 2028,” Romualdez said.

A tale of two witnesses 

Escudero was named as a recipient in a kickback scheme for a infrastructure project in Bulacan by former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

Bernardo alleged that Escudero had inserted P800 million into projects, where he was expected to get a 20% kickback or P160 million.

On the other hand, Orly Guteza, who introduced himself as Co’s former security aide, alleged that he helped deliver 46 suitcases of cash to Romualdez’s house.

Both lawmakers have denied involvement.

Prior to testimonies at the Senate, Romualdez and Escudero had been replaced as House speaker and Senate president, respectively.

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