There is no calamity greater than lavish desires. There is no greater guilt than discontentment. And there is no greater disaster than greed. — Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher
Former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez reportedly has several mansions in posh Forbes Park in Makati City, with five of them—each worth more than a billion pesos—situated on a one-hectare lot just across Santuario de San Antonio Parish on McKinley Road.
Prior to this, one of the Speaker’s mansions on McKinley Road was noticeably fortified, with its front gate reinforced by an additional fence of GI (galvanized iron) sheets—apparently to prevent trespassers from entering—as protests continue over the alleged involvement of several members of the Lower House in anomalous government projects under the watch of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM)’s cousin.
Sources from the Forbes Park Village Association revealed that the five mansions across the church feature fit-out work amounting to P200 million; marble tiles worth P100 million; windows costing another P100 million; doors at P150 million; and lighting at P20 million. Aside from these, the houses are reportedly fitted with fixtures priced at P60 million, furniture at P50 million, wallpaper at P15 million, modular cabinetry at P30 million, and a La Cornue France kitchen at P82 million.
Sources added that the architectural design of the mansions was done by Jonathan Matti, one of the country’s most sought-after interior designers known for his “Old World elegance meets 21st-century living” aesthetic that blends sophisticated styles.
In all, the Leyte 1st District representative is said to own a total of 12 houses scattered across Forbes Park and Dasmariñas Village, both high-end, exclusive subdivisions.
There is no confirmation that the properties in question are actually owned by the President’s cousin, but people are abuzz online over the mind-blowing display of wealth that has surfaced amid the ongoing investigation into anomalies and corruption in government flood-control projects—controversies that apparently prompted Romualdez to relinquish his leadership of the House of Representatives.
Currently, the Leyte congressman, along with his close ally and former appropriations chairperson Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co of the party-list Ako Bicol, is facing sharp criticism over the controversial 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). Opponents and budget watchdogs have described it as mishandled and one of the most corrupt spending bills ever enacted.
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