NAGBIGAY ng pahayag si Vice President Sara Duterte nitong Setyembre 30, 2025 tungkol sa sangkatutak na mga maleta ng pera na inihatid sa bahay ni dating Speaker Marin Romualdez. Narito ang kanyang pahayag:
Mga Kababayan,
Nang ako’y tanungin kaninang umaga kung naniniwala ba ako sa mga pahayag ukol sa sangkatutak na mga maleta ng perang hinahatid umano sa bahay ni Martin Romualdez, ang naging sagot ko ay “Oo”. Oo, sapagkat ito ay tugma sa mga napabalita na noong pagtanggap niya ng suhol.
His name has surfaced time and again whenever questions of corruptions are raised. Even in the Delaware Court proceedings involving the Okada Manila casino, evidence was presented that he was the “common friend” used to intervene, with references to heavy luggage brought to him as part of a dubious bargain.
In fact, a reading of the Delaware Court’s ruling in 26 Capital Corp v Tiger Resort Asia LTD, docketed as C.A. No. 2023-0128- JTL, would reveal that Martin Romualdez was mentioned no less than 17 times — thrice on page 37, thrice on page 38, 7 times on page 39, twice on page 40, once on page 58 and once again on page 63.
In sum, the Court refused to be swayed by the implausible claim that the “heavy luggage” delivered to Martin Romualdez only contained documents.
These are not mere coincidences — they form a disturbing pattern. At itong disturbing pattern na ito ang nagbibigay ng kredibilidad sa testimonya ni Sgt. Guteza ukol sa mga maleta ng “basura” na inihahatid kay Martin Romualdez linggo-linggo.
I have repeatedly questioned the judgment of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in choosing Martin Romualdez as Speaker of the House of Representatives — especially after the Delaware Court ruling was issued. Sadly, President Marcos continues to display this flawed judgment — by merely changing the leadership in both Houses of Congress, while keeping a stranglehold on the flood-control probe through the creation of what is supposed to be an “Independent” Commission on Infrastructure that is clearly under his control.
One day, the floodwaters of truth and accountability will flow all the way to Malacañan. And on that day, the Filipino people will finally decide that we deserve better.
SARA Z. DUTERTE
Vice President of the Philippines
