MATAPANG na nagbabala si Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero sa naganap na pagbibitiw ni Speaker of the House Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez kahapon, Setyembre 17.
Ayon kay Escudero, “Katawa-tawa naman ang ginagawa nila… ang bilis naman nila i-abswelto si Speaker Romualdez… ilaglag si Zaldy Co, ilihis ang isyu at magtuturo ng iba.
Dagdag pa niya, ”Ang isyu ay ghost projects, substandard projects at mga kickback na karamihan ay nasa budget ng 2022, 2023 at 2024 at bago ang mga taong yan ayon mismo sa COA, DBM, DPWH at paglalahad ng whistleblowers.”
Nagpaalala pa ang senador, “Samantala ang 2025 budget ay kasalukuyan pa lang na pinapatupad sa ngayon. Ayon kay Sec. Dizon, titiyakin daw nya na maayos ang pag-implement nito di tulad ng sa mga nagdaang taon. Mag-ingat po tayo at wag po magpadala sa dibersiyon at paglilihis na ito.”
Pagbibitiw ni Romualdez
Sa kanyang pagbibitiw, ipinaliwanag ni Romualdez, “The issues surrounding certain infrastructure projects have raised questions that weigh not only upon me but [also] upon this institution we all serve. Our countrymen are seeking trust. It is our duty to restore it.”
Dagdag pa niya, “The longer I stay, the heavier that burden grows on me, on this House, and on the president I’ve always sought to support. And so, after deep reflection and prayer, I have made a decision today with a full heart and a clear conscience, I tender my resignation as speaker.”
Saludo kay Dy
Samantala, pinuri ni Escudero ang bagong speaker of the House of the Representative na si Isabela Sixth District Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III.
Aniya, “I welcome the election of Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives.
”I have personally known Bojie for a long time and I am confident that his experience and steady leadership will serve the House well during this critical period.
”This transition, however, should not distract us from the unresolved issues surrounding past budgets and infrastructure anomalies. Leadership changes must lead to institutional reform, not selective amnesia.
”I wish Speaker Dy the very best. I trust that he will rise to the challenge and steer the House toward greater integrity and responsiveness to the people’s concerns.”
Mula si Dy sa pamilya ng mga pulitiko. Naging gobernador siya at bise gobernador ng lalawigan ng Isabela.
Naging deputy speaker din siya ng House.
Palasyo siniguradong sasailalim si Romualdez sa imbestigasyon
Ayon sa Malakanyang, hindi makakaligtas si Romualdez sa kahit anong imbestigasyon na nagsasangkot sa kanya sa malalang korapsyon ng flood control projects, lalo na ang isasagawang imbestigasyon ng Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
“That’s what will happen. If his name is dragged and there is evidence against him, it would be good for him to defend himself by presenting records he would like to share. He will be investigated,” sabi ni Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro. Halaw sa mga ulat ng Senate of the Philippines at The Manila Times