Malacañang said former Speaker Martin Romualdez’s potential to become a state witness in the flood control kickbacks scandal will depend on his testimony before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Justice’s assessment.
Romualdez, who appeared before the ICI, denied receiving kickbacks and pledged full cooperation, even offering to make public his assets to prove transparency.
However, anti-corruption groups such as Artikulo Onse accused the ICI of whitewashing the probe to protect top officials, including Romualdez and President Marcos, while Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte mocked the idea of Romualdez as a state witness, calling it “a joke.”
The ICI confirmed Romualdez provided information naming other lawmakers allegedly involved, while former congressman Elizaldy Co skipped the hearing and now faces contempt proceedings.
Amid rising public skepticism, labor groups and former Justice Antonio Carpio urged the administration to open the ICI proceedings to the public to restore trust in the investigation.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 15, 2025
