Martin Romualdez never met Discaya couple – lawyer

Former Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has never met contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya, contrary to allegations that he supposedly used the couple as a “front” to buy a high-end property in Makati City.

“With reference to recent news reports linking former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez to the Discayas through an alleged property purchase, Rep. Romualdez has no knowledge nor involvement in the purported transaction,” said Romualdez’s lawyer, Ade Fajardo.

Fajardo added in a statement: “Rep. Romualdez has not met the Discayas and has only heard of them based on what is being said in media reports. As such, the claim in the report about using the Discayas as a front in a property purchase is outright baseless.” 

Earlier, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the Senate blue ribbon committee will look into claims that Romualdez supposedly used the Discaya couple as a “front” to buy a high-end property in Makati City.

Lacson, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon panel, said he is trying to set up a meeting with the previous owner of the house and lot to determine if there is indeed a direct connection between Romualdez and the Discayas. 

The senator noted that if Romualdez’s ties to the Discayas are confirmed, it could suggest a history of more significant transactions between them.

However, Romualdez’s camp stressed that Curlee, in his testimony under oath in September 2025, said he never had any transactions with the former Speaker.

“Mr. Discaya further explained that the Speaker’s name was merely being used or name-dropped by others, without any personal knowledge, meeting, or transaction on his part. This sworn testimony is part of the official congressional record and directly contradicts the insinuations now being revived in public discourse,” Fajardo said.

“Rep. Martin Romualdez respects institutional processes and is confident that any fair and evidence-based inquiry will ultimately prove him right,” he added. 

Previously, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) recommended the filing of plunder, graft, and bribery charges against Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co before the Ombudsman. — JMA, GMA Integrated News