Senator Chiz Escudero cautioned the public against what he described as “calculated diversions” aimed at absolving House Speaker Martin Romualdez from any involvement in the controversial flood control projects, particularly “ghost” projects that have rocked the nation’s infrastructure sector.
Escudero’s statement comes in response to Deputy Speaker Ronnie Puno’s recent media appearances, where he suggested that Romualdez had no direct hand in the alleged budget insertions and anomalies tied to the flood control allocations from 2022 to 2024.
“Puno’s narrative risks misleading the public and undermining the integrity of ongoing investigations.”
Puno’s narrative, according to the veteran legislator, risks misleading the public and undermining the integrity of ongoing investigations.
“Katawa-tawa naman ang ginagawa nila. Ang bilis naman nila i-abswelto si Speaker Romualdez, ilaglag si Rep. Zaldy Co, ilihis ang isyu at magtuturo ng iba,” the seasoned lawmaker said, criticizing what he described as a coordinated effort to deflect blame and confuse the public.
The senator reiterated that the real issue lies in the existence of ghost projects, substandard infrastructure, and kickbacks embedded in past budgets.
“Ang isyu ay ghost projects, substandard projects at mga kickback.”
“Ang isyu ay ghost projects, substandard projects at mga kickback na karamihan ay nasa budget ng 2022, 2023 at 2024 at bago ang mga taong ‘yan, ayon mismo sa Commission on Audit (COA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at paglalahad ng whistleblowers,” he stressed.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has recently disclosed that a staggering P545 billion was allocated for flood control projects from July 2022 to May 2025, with P100 billion, or nearly 20%, awarded to just 15 contractors.
Escudero further warned the public not to be distracted by political narratives that attempt to sanitize the scandal.
“Mag-ingat po tayo at huwag po magpadala sa dibersiyon at paglilihis na ito,” he said, urging vigilance and discernment.
Escudero noted that the 2025 budget is still in its early implementation phase and some projects were even put on hold based on the directive of the President.
“Samantala ang 2025 budget ay kasalukuyan pa lang na pinapatupad sa ngayon. Ayon kay DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, titiyakin daw niya na maayos ang pag-implement nito ‘di tulad ng sa mga nagdaang taon,” he said.
