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Martin Romualdez

Martin Romualdez

Former House Speaker

Appears in 1 story

Notable Quotes

The pork barrel system has been abolished.

No sworn or credible evidence has ever linked me to any irregularity, and again, my conscience remains clear.

Stories

Philippines slashes discretionary spending amid flood control scandal

Rule Changes

Subject of plunder charge recommendation to Ombudsman; received P6B in DPWH allocables in 2026 budget despite corruption allegations

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed a $115 billion budget on January 5, 2026, while vetoing $1.6 billion in unprogrammed appropriations—slashing discretionary funds to their lowest level since 2019. The move follows months of scandal after former lawmaker Zaldy Co admitted to inserting $1.69 billion in phantom flood control projects into the 2025 budget, implicating Marcos's own cousin, then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez, in an alleged kickback scheme. Co remains at large abroad while seven of sixteen co-accused in the first criminal case are now in custody. In early January 2026, eight DPWH officials pleaded not guilty at their Sandiganbayan arraignment for graft charges over a $4.9 million ghost project.

Updated Jan 5