Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez personally submitted his affidavit to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Tuesday, October 14, concerning his role in the budget process of the House of Representatives.
“I thanked the ICI for giving me the opportunity to share my side. For now, it’s about facts and evidence—not just political noise or speculation. The ICI commissioners asked me many questions, and I was able to answer them,” he said.
“I feel very happy and welcome this opportunity to share all I know,” added Romualdez after his first appearance before the ICI commissioners. He noted that the ICI has requested him to return next week and expressed his willingness to cooperate.
“I am ready to come back to the commission anytime. If I’m asked for more information, I will do so,” the former House Speaker said, emphasizing his commitment to transparency and collaboration.
The seasoned legislator agreed that the ICI is the best venue to tackle the alleged insertions in flood-control projects, noting that the fact-finding body is focused on facts and evidence rather than speculation and political noise.
In a chance interview after his appearance at the probe body, Romualdez expressed gratitude to the Commission for the opportunity to share his personal knowledge of the budget process and its issues.
The former House Speaker clarified that the Department of Justice (DoJ) has not invited him to participate in its related investigation. He also declined to comment on the situation involving resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, who is currently overseas.
When asked about the testimony of former marine officer Orly Guteza during a Senate hearing last month, he told reporters: “The witness presented already (has) been discredited due to falsified documents, and the testimony has been denied.”
Romualdez also denied that Guteza served as one of his bodyguards or security officers.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta introduced Guteza during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, which was then chaired by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson last month.
The former House Speaker was invited by the ICI to address questions related to flood control and other infrastructure projects. These projects include those identified by the commission as potentially irregular and involving alleged “budget insertions” within the proposed national budget for 2025.
Romualdez was asked to clarify his “familiarity and personal knowledge” as Speaker of the House regarding the alleged insertions.
Meanwhile, ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka said Romualdez arrived earlier and explained the budget process, detailing his role as Speaker during the 2025 national budget preparation.
“He (Romualdez) also submitted an affidavit this morning. After the hearing, the commission invited him back to address questions related to that affidavit, so he will return next week,” Hosaka said.
“It has somewhat clarified his role and the actions of his colleagues in the budget preparation. We will soon invite these people to shed light on their participation in the budget preparation, which also pertains to the alleged anomalous flood control projects,” Hosaka said of Romualdez’s testimony.
Meanwhile, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, along with her staff, also appeared before the ICI and provided testimony.
Hosaka said the DBM secretary and her team elucidated the budget process, starting from the proposal stage by various agencies, through its consolidation into the National Expenditure Program (NEP), and its approval as outlined in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
“There was an exchange between the ICI and the DBM secretary, probably certain improvements that can be undertaken by the DBM,” he added.
