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Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star
April 24, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos does not feel alluded to by former speaker Martin Romualdez’s slamming corruption in the administration, Malacañang said yesterday, maintaining that it was the Chief Executive who ordered the probe on questionable flood control projects.
“The President does not view it that way. In 2025, he saw that there were anomalies, so he ordered an investigation. When you say ‘executive,’ the President is not the only one in the executive,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.
“Based on what we heard from the statement of the former speaker, he talked about the implementation on the ground. So perhaps that’s the reason why other officials of DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) are being investigated,” she added.
Castro said command responsibility prompted the President to order a probe on the issue. “It was not neglected, there was no coverup,” she said.
With regard to Romualdez’s remark that he refused to be the “fall guy” on the corruption issue, Castro said she was not sure what the lawmaker really meant.
“If the former speaker can help in the investigation, the government, the President would want that. Those who are accountable should be held to account,” she said.
Castro was mum on the state of affairs between Marcos and Romualdez, his first cousin. “I have not seen them talk,” the Palace press officer said.
The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division announced its issuance of a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Romualdez upon the request of the Office of the Ombudsman, after finding probable cause to believe that the Leyte lawmaker would leave the country to evade possible arrest and prosecution. The ombudsman is investigating the Leyte lawmaker for money laundering, plunder, and bribery among other offenses.
No intention to flee
Romualdez’s legal counsel and spokesman Ade Fajardo said they have received reports on the issuance of the PHDO and stressed the former speaker has no intention of evading the law.
“At the outset, we categorically clarify: Rep. Romualdez is in the Philippines and has not left the country. Any report or insinuation that he has fled is false and irresponsible,” Fajardo said. — Daphne Galvez, Jose Rodel Clapano
