In a bold move that has sparked both curiosity and controversy, Martin Romualdez, the former House Speaker and cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., declared he has ‘nothing to hide’ during his first appearance before the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI). But here’s where it gets controversial: despite his willingness to cooperate, the public remains in the dark about the specifics of his two-hour meeting with the commission, as the ICI continues to hold its hearings behind closed doors. This secrecy has left many wondering: What exactly is being discussed, and why isn’t the public allowed to know?
Romualdez’s appearance comes amid a scandal involving flood control and public works projects, with allegations of budget anomalies and kickbacks swirling around key figures in Congress. During an impromptu interview, Romualdez framed his meeting with the ICI as an opportunity to ‘share facts and evidence’ and dispel ‘political noise and speculation.’ He even offered to release his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) if the commission requests it—a move that, while commendable, raises questions about why he didn’t provide it when Rappler requested a copy in 2024. And this is the part most people miss: Romualdez’s insistence on transparency now contrasts sharply with his previous reluctance to disclose his financial records.
The ICI’s letter to Romualdez sought his insights into the National Budget insertions and the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) flood control projects during his tenure as House Speaker. When asked about the absent Zaldy Co, the resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Representative who has ignored a subpoena, Romualdez tersely stated, ‘All resource persons invited here are expected to return.’ This response, while firm, does little to address the growing frustration over Co’s non-appearance and the billions in government contracts awarded to companies linked to him.
Romualdez’s statement that he was ‘not part of the bicameral conference committee’—the panel blamed for the anomalous budget insertions—has done little to quell skepticism. Critics argue that as House Speaker, he was in a position to influence budget decisions, whether directly or indirectly. Here’s the thought-provoking question: If Romualdez truly has nothing to hide, why not push for full transparency in the ICI hearings and release his SALN proactively, rather than waiting for the commission to ask?
ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka revealed that Romualdez denied allegations of receiving suitcases filled with cash and submitted an affidavit for further discussion. While Romualdez did not directly implicate anyone, he named officials involved in the budget process—a step that could either be seen as cooperation or a strategic move to shift focus. But here’s the real kicker: Hosaka declined to name these officials, leaving the public to speculate about who else might be implicated.
Among those previously invited by the ICI are high-profile figures like Senators Chiz Escudero, Ping Lacson, Tito Sotto, and former Senator Grace Poe. Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco, who earlier questioned Zaldy Co’s massive budget insertions, has also appeared before the commission. Yet, despite these appearances, the investigation’s slow pace and lack of public updates have fueled accusations of a cover-up.
Romualdez’s closing remarks—‘At the end of the day, it is evidence, not political noise, that will reveal the truth’—sound reassuring, but they also highlight the growing divide between what the public is told and what is actually happening behind closed doors. Here’s the ultimate question for you: Is Romualdez’s cooperation a genuine effort to uncover the truth, or a calculated move to control the narrative? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
