Escudero: Romualdez behind flood control ‘sarswela’
Sen. Francis Escudero on Monday pointed a finger at former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez for supposedly orchestrating allegations linking him and other senators to anomalous flood control projects.
“There’s only one person behind this script and ‘sarswela (local theater and opera show),’” Escudero said in a manifestation before the plenary session on Monday. “Why is it that in the House of Representatives, also right here in the Senate and in some media outlets, they are unable to blurt his name? Then, I will say it: Martin Romualdez.”
The senator questioned the absence of Romualdez and other congressmen from ongoing investigations, despite being named in affidavits and testimonies.
He also alleged that House lawmakers wield direct control over the budget in hundreds of districts across the country, including funds intended for infrastructure and flood control projects.
“Is this how powerful Martin Romualdez is? That despite no longer being speaker, it appears that he remains ‘the name that cannot be mentioned,’ and he can still do what he wants in terms of selective justice,” he said.
Deflection
Escudero and Romualdez previously led the two chambers in the 19th Congress and briefly in the 20th Congress. Escudero was ousted as Senate President on Sept. 8 while Romualdez stepped down from the speakership nine days later.
In a statement on Monday, Romualdez said Escudero’s speech was merely recycled accusations. He also noted that the senator chose to deflect instead of answering allegations against him.
“With respect, what we heard was not an exposé but a [Duterte Diehard Supporters] script—the same recycled accusations we have long seen on troll pages and social media posts. Nothing new and no truth to them either,” he said in a statement.
Escudero, on the other hand, said Romualdez could not escape accountability following the testimony of retired Sgt. Orly Guteza, a former VIP security for Rep. Elizaldy Co, that he had delivered 37 pieces of luggage containing cash to the Makati residence of the Leyte congressman worth P1.7 billion. Co has resigned as Ako Bicol party list representative on Monday.
“Let all those who were name-dropped answer and be investigated—all congressmen, senators and other officials mentioned. And they should include Martin Romualdez,” he said.
Bigger fish?
He lamented that Romualdez was neither included in the recommendation of the National Bureau of Investigation for possible graft and bribery charges nor in the asset freeze order by the Anti-Money Laundering Council.
He said witnesses kept on name-dropping senators despite the lack of direct evidence implicating them.
“Why? Is it because the senators are the bigger fish, their positions are higher and they are more well known than congressmen, and they are hoping that the anger of the people over the anomalous flood control projects would subside and they would be able to escape their accountability?” Escudero said.
He also vowed to defend himself against malicious accusations. “In fact, I will be filing the necessary and appropriate charges against my accuser […] I am confident that I will be vindicated and declared innocent,” he said.
‘Mob justice’
He warned against political machinations aimed at weakening the Senate as an institution, misleading the public and shielding the real masterminds from accountability.
“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.
“Are we truly for transparency and accountability? Or are we merely offering a politically convenient sacrificial lamb?” he asked.
He ended his speech by reiterating his opposition to Romualdez’s alleged efforts to deflect scrutiny and destabilize institutions.
“If you want the truth to come out, if you want the real culprits to be held accountable, and if you want them to be imprisoned, don’t side with Martin Romualdez,” he said. —WITH A REPORT FROM GABRIEL PABICO LALU
