Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez is being portrayed as a "convenient excuse and political scapegoat," his camp said on Thursday, maintaining the former speaker had no links to the alleged anomalies in flood mitigation projects.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Mr. Romualdez emphasized that no official from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) nor any resource person who appeared in congressional hearings and other investigations has implicated the lawmaker as having a direct role in the planning, funding, contractor selection, or implementation of the projects alleged to be anomalous.
The spokesperson noted that even former DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan did not mention any participation by Mr. Romualdez, and that the Speaker of the House cannot control the entire national budget process.
"No single person — not even the Speaker of the House — can control," the spokesperson explained. "The proposed budget is prepared by the Executive branch and undergoes deliberation in the House and Senate, while the implementation of projects and the release of funds fall under the authority of Executive agencies."
The spokesperson also emphasized that if any irregularities in the projects are proven, the officials holding legal and operational authority over them should be held accountable.
"Accountability must follow the evidence — not political convenience," the spokesperson said. "In the pursuit of justice, accusations cannot come before evidence. Under the law, it is the evidence that points to who must be held accountable."
