ICI: Romualdez denied receiving kickbacks from flood control projects

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez denied receiving kickbacks from the alleged anomalous flood control projects, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) said Tuesday. 

ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka disclosed this as Romualdez attended the ICC closed-door hearings earlier. Hosaka said the legislator rejected accusations he was involved in the kickback scheme and shared significant information that clarified his role on the budget process, Sam Nielsen reported over Super Radyo dzBB. 

Cong. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, walang idinawit na pangalan sa isyu ng anomalya ng flood control project, pero may mga pangalang nabanggit na involve sa proseso ng budget, at ipatatawag din sila sa ICI, ayon kay Atty Brian Keith Osaka, Executive Director ICI

????@dzbbsamnielsen pic.twitter.com/7BKVfZFA0X

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) October 14, 2025

While Romualdez did not tag any personalities in the alleged corruption scheme, Hosaka said he named several lawmakers supposedly involved in the crafting of the national budget. 

The ICI will summon the named legislators, according to Hosaka. He likewise said the commission will invite Romualdez for another hearing to further explain his sworn affidavit, which the lawmaker voluntarily submitted. 

Romualdez, one of the lawmakers the ICI subpoenaed to attend the hearing, faced the commission earlier in the day and maintained that he 'has nothing to hide.' 

“I am here to cooperate fully and help uncover the truth. Wala akong itinatago at walang dapat itago (I am not hiding anything and have nothing to hide),” Romualdez said in a statement.

“I’m very glad that I was invited to the ICI to share my personal knowledge on the budget process and of course, any information on the insertions — that was the basis of my invitation,” Romualdez told reporters in an interview.

Romualdez also expressed willingness to release his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and said he is ready to attend the ICI hearings if he is invited again.

“I’m ready to come back to the commission anytime I am invited,” he added. —Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News