Lacson: Romualdez given chances by Blue Ribbon panel to testify

Former House Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez was given at least two opportunities to testify under oath and refute claims against him, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson, chairperson of the committee, said that Romualdez was issued at least two official invitations to testify on the 2025 budget controversy, which was also linked to the corruption issue on infrastructure projects. 

“The Blue Ribbon Committee gave the former Speaker at least two chances through official invitations to testify under oath and public scrutiny to what may be his strong argument against allegations of masterminding the ‘mangling beyond recognition’ of the 2025 national budget during the bicameral conference, which he now claims to have been made by only two people—then [Senate President] Chiz Escudero and ex-Cong. and House Appropriations Chairman Zaldy Co,” he said in a post on X.

In keeping with inter-parliamentary courtesy, Lacson’s office noted that the Blue Ribbon Committee—as part of its investigation into anomalous flood control projects—sent earlier invitations to Romualdez through the office of Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III.

Romualdez, however, did not attend the hearings last November 14, 2025 and January 19, 2026. 

On Tuesday, Romualdez denied any role in the corruption related to the 2025 national budget, stressing there is "no evidence that proves that he committed plunder, conspiracy to commit plunder, or any similar offense that the Ombudsman may be contemplating against me." 

The former House leader said that two people “were instrumental in making those budget decisions,” tagging Escudero and Co. Both Escudero and Co have yet to answer the allegation. 

Romualdez released the video statement after the Office of the Ombudsman said it had asked the Sandiganbayan to issue a preventive hold departure order against the former leader of the House of Representatives.

Dy earlier gave Romualdez clearance to travel to Singapore from April 20 to May 4 for a medical procedure, but Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla told reporters that he had denied Romualdez's request.  — RSJ, GMA News