The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Wednesday released its invitation for Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to testify at its next hearing and shed light on his involvement in the alleged budget insertions linked to the anomalous flood control projects during his tenure as House Speaker.
In a letter dated October 8, ICI Chairman Andres Reyes, Jr. said Romualdez is expected to appear before the Commission and discuss his personal knowledge on the issues at hand next Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
“We respectfully request that you bring with you, upon your appearance before the said Commission, any documents that you deem relevant in support of your said appearance,” Reyes wrote Romualdez.
The former House Speaker through his office confirmed receipt of the invitation from the ICI and indicated his willingness to participate in its ongoing probe.
In a statement, Romualdez’s office said the legislator “welcomes the opportunity to cooperate with the Commission and fully supports its objective of promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.”
“In this regard, Rep. Romualdez is prepared to appear before the Commission,” the statement added.
Similarly, the ICI summoned resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to cooperate with its ongoing investigation on the ghost projects and corruption scandal. His subpoena was coursed through House of Representatives Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.
Co was asked to testify in his capacity as former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and stakeholder of one of the construction firms, which allegedly received infrastructure projects from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The former lawmaker, who remains out of the country, was ordered to bring “contracts, records, and reports related to any government projects, project proposals, feasibility studies, and master plans for flood control projects” that he or his family have beneficial interests in.
Both Romualdez and Co were also included in the list of incumbent and former politicians as well as government officials, and other individuals, who were requested to be placed under the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) through the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Other personalities covered by the ILBO list are Senators Francis Joseph ‘Chiz’ Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva, former senators Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Nancy Binay (now Makati City mayor); Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana and his wife Marilou Laurio-Lipana, Department of Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, businessman Maynard Ngu, Carlene Villa;
House of Representatives members Roman Romulo (Pasig City), James ‘Jojo’ Ang (USWAG Ilonggo party-list), Patrick Michael Vargas (5th District, Quezon City), Juan Carlos ‘Arjo’ Atayde (1st District, Quezon City), Nicanor ‘Nikki’ Briones (AGAP party-list), Marcelino ‘Marcy’ Teodoro (1st District, Marikina), Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Romblon), Benjamin ‘Benjie’ Agarao (4th District, Laguna), Leody ‘Odie’ Tarriela (Occidental Mindoro), Reynante Arrogancia (3rd District, Quezon), Dean Asistio (3rd District, Caloocan City); Marivic Co-Pilar (6th District, Quezon City);
Former representatives Teodorico Haresco Jr. (2nd District, Aklan), Antonieta Eudela (Zamboanga Sibugay), Florencio Gabriel ‘Bem’ Noel (AN WARAY party-list), Marvin Rillo (4th District, Quezon City); San Jose del Monte, Bulacan Mayor Florida ‘Rida’ Robes; DPWH district engineers Loida Busa ‘Bogs’ Magalong, Ramon Devanadera, Johnny Protesta Jr., and Arturo Gonzales, Jr.
