Marcoleta urges Blue Ribbon panel to invite Martin Romualdez: 'He's ready to talk'

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta on Monday called on the Senate blue ribbon committee to invite former Speaker and incumbent Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to the next hearing on the flood control mess.

Marcoleta, who previously chaired the committee, expressed belief that Romualdez could not have done the anomalies alone and that the former House Speaker knows who the real mastermind is. 

“‘How can I be the mastermind?’ Sabi niyang gano’n. Alam mo, sa tanong lang niya na ‘yun, parang kilala niya kung sino ang mastermind. Kaya sinasabi niya, ‘How can I be?’ Sabi niya. Ibig sabihin, alam niya,” the senator said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview. 

(He asked, how could he be the mastermind? You know, just by asking that question, it seems like he knows who the mastermind is. He asked, ‘How can I be?’ That means he knows something.) 

“Pero 'yung pagsasabi niya ng gano'n, hindi niya dineny ‘yung kanyang involvement. Malinaw ‘yun. Alam niya kasama siya. ‘Hindi nga lang ako ang mastermind,’ sabi niyang gano'n. At this anomaly cannot be done by only one person. E'di alam niya talaga,” he added.

(But when he said that, he didn't deny his involvement. That's clear. He knew he was involved but he only said he’s not the mastermind. And this anomaly cannot be done by only one person. He really knows who are the others involved.) 

In a video statement, 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." 

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Panfilo "Ping" Lacson previously said that Romualdez was given at least two opportunities by the panel to testify under oath and refute claims against him. 

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

But Lacson said he is keen on inviting Romualdez again to the next hearing, along with former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and the alleged former Marines who claimed that they delivered kickbacks to various individuals. 

Marcoleta also believes that Romualdez is “ready to talk” about what he knows regarding the flood control controversy. 

“Dapat siyang ipatawag ngayon. Kung susumahin mo ‘yun, ang Blue Ribbon, ang gagawin niya, i-analyze niya, malinaw na malinaw, na sa public statement ni former Speaker Martin Romualdez, he's ready to talk,” he added. 

(He should be invited now. The Blue Ribbon should analyze what he said. It’s very clear in Romualdez’ statement that he's ready to talk.) 

Asked if he will already sign the partial Blue Ribbon panel report once Romualdez is invited, Marcoleta said, “‘Pag natukoy na natin lahat, at maganda na naging kinalabasan ng report, pipirma na ako.”

(Once we have determined everything, and the report has a good outcome, I will sign it.) 

So far, the partial report on the flood control mess has gathered six signatures from the following senators: Lacson, Erwin Tulfo, Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. 

The report has to get at least nine signatures from the 17-member committee before it can be filed and reported out on the floor, where it can be debated, amended, and possibly adopted. —AOL, GMA News