Photo courtesy of Ping Lacson/Facebook.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said former House Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez was given multiple chances to respond under oath to allegations linked to the 2025 national budget controversy.
Lacson said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee extended at least two formal invitations for Romualdez to attend hearings related to the budget issue, which has also been tied to alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects.
He said the former House leader was asked to appear and respond to claims that the 2025 budget was allegedly altered during bicameral conference discussions, but Romualdez did not attend scheduled hearings.
According to Lacson, the invitations were sent through proper channels as part of the committee’s inquiry, which also covers alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
He noted that Romualdez skipped hearings held on November 14, 2025 and January 19, 2026, despite being invited to clarify his side.
Romualdez earlier denied any involvement in alleged corruption, saying there was no evidence linking him to plunder or conspiracy in relation to the budget process.
He also claimed that key decisions on the budget were influenced by other officials, naming former Senate President Francis Escudero and former House Appropriations chair Zaldy Co.
The issue comes amid ongoing investigations by the Ombudsman and related legal actions, including a request for a preventive hold departure order against Romualdez as inquiries into the budget controversy continue.
