In response, Romualdez says Escudero deflected instead of addressing allegations.

Senator Chiz Escudero (left) publicly names former House Speaker Martin Romualdez (right) as the “man behind the script” in the flood control anomalies—and calls for Romualdez to be investigated.
PHOTO/S: Senate of the Philippines

Senator Chiz Escudero directly named former House Speaker Martin Romualdez as the mastermind behind the anomalous flood control projects.

Escudero, who was implicated in flood control projects last week, insisted that he and some fellow senators are only doing it to cover up holes allegedly made by Romualdez and the House.

Romualdez’s tactic is to provoke conflict between government officials and the citizens so that his name will be forgotten.

Escudero believes that this is clearly part of Romualdez’s plan to deceive the public and divert the investigation into corruption.

Escudero’s statement in his speech at the plenary session in the Senate this Monday, September 29, 2025: “In recent weeks, the anger of the people regarding ghost and substandard flood control projects has clearly been diverted from the real culprits, towards the Senate and some of its members.

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“It seems like senators are being used as cover-ups, fall guys, and diversions, away from the House and those who are truly guilty.”

“The script is very clear. Put pressure on the three DPWH officials, make them sing, mema—I can only mention Senator—while covering up the congressmen who are truly accomplices in the areas they operate in.”

“The proof here is simple, is it credible that they did not speak to a single sitting congressman who actually holds the districts in the areas they covered during their lengthy testimony here and in the House?”

“It’s even clearer if you listen to them that they can’t say they were directly contacted or given anything. All of this is just to nail the senators to the media and the public. And take the attention away from the House and the congressmen.”

“There is only one person behind this script and this sarcasm.

“He is the cause of the chaos, fighting, and disunity that is now shaking our country, just to protect himself.”

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“His name has long been a rumor in every corner of the country, but now the people are gradually shouting it out.”

“But why is it that in the House, right here in the Senate, and some media outlets still can’t bring themselves to mention his name?”

“So, I’m going to say that, [he’s] Martin Romualdez.”

Escudero also criticized what he said was the targeting of senators in connection with their alleged kickbacks in anomalous flood control projects.

In addition, the investigation into the campaign contributions of contractors to him and other candidates in the 2022 national election is ongoing, while no complaint has been filed against Romualdez.

This is despite the statement of Orly Guteza, a former marine and alleged member of Congressman Zaldy Co’s security staff, that he personally delivered suitcases of money to the house of Romualdez and his right-hand man, Congressman Zaldy Co.

Escudero said: “Isn’t it strange why Martin Romualdez is not included in any investigation, whether by the DOJ (Department of Justice), NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), or AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council)?

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“Why was the freeze order immediately requested for the assets of the Senators whose names were dropped, except for Congressman Zaldy Co, who it seems is already being dropped.”

“Not a single congressman has requested a freeze order. When it came to Martin Romualdez, who was given a billion pesos right at his house, all he said was, ‘We will work on it.'”

“Is the power held by Martin Romualdez so great that even though he is not the speaker, it seems like he is still the name that cannot be mentioned, and he can still do what he wants in relation to selective justice?”

ROMUALDEZ allegedly USED FLOOD CONTROL FUNDS TO PUSH FOR VP SARA duterte IMPEACHMENT

Escudero also exposed the alleged use of the 2025 budget in the impeachment of Vice-President Sara Duterte.

Senator’s disclosure: “Martin Romualdez used the FLR (for later release) and the name of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to push their unconstitutional impeachment complaint.

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“They said, ‘Sign it because if you don’t, your funds in the FLR will not be released before the election.’

“But it didn’t work. It didn’t work because PBBM rejected it. He said, ‘There’s no such thing as a deal,’ and he said he would never do that, so to this day their questionable funds are still being held for later release.

“That is why at the height of the impeachment controversy, and amidst the passion of some sectors to remove the vice-president at all cost, I urged prudence and level-headedness because I knew that greed and not accountability was the reason behind it.”

Escudero says he can defend himself, will sue corruption accusers

Ultimately, Escudero maintained that he had nothing to do with the allegations against him regarding the embezzlement of millions in funds for flood control projects.

He said he will prove this by filing a complaint against the people whose name was implicated.

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Sabi niya: “I’ve been in public service for 27 years. I have never been accused nor charged with corruption. This is the sterling record which they are trying to tear down and I tell you they will not succeed.

“I will defend myself against these malicious and false allegations.

“In fact, I have already filed and will be filing necessary and appropriate charges against my accusers and prove them wrong.

“And with the help of Almighty, I will be vindicated and declared innocent, I am sure.

“I can defend myself.”

This is accompanied by his plea to fellow senators, as well as the people, not to be fooled by the traps that Romualdez calls his “script.”

Escudero said: “My only request to you, Mr. President, and to all my colleagues in the Senate, is that you fight and do not allow the selective justice that is openly happening before us today.

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“For what is happening now is selective justice and mob justice.

“Members of the Senate have been trown off the clip before the court of public opinion in an attempt to mollify the people’s rage thereby covering up the real perpetrators and giving them a chance to get away.

“I will not allow justice to be weaponized against the innocent to protect the guilty.

“Because this corrodes the legitimacy of the law before our people’s eyes.

“Let’s not follow Martin Romualdez’s script. Let’s fight this script. Let’s hold accountable and investigate all those who were name-dropped and mentioned.”

“Congressmen, senators, and other officials, and Martin Romualdez should be included here.

“Can’t we see, we are being forced to fight. Citizen against public servant. Local against national official. Congressman against fellow congressman.”

“And now, senator against fellow senator. Filipino against fellow Filipino.

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“This, in my opinion, is still part of the script and zarzuela that Martin Romualdez wants to spread, to confuse, disrupt, deceive, and destroy our society and country so that he will not be caught.”

He added, “I hope we don’t let this happen.”

ROMUALDEZ says Escudero’s speech a mere “DDS script”

Meanwhile, a few hours after Escudero spoke in the Senate, Romualdez immediately issued a statement regarding this.

In his official statement, Romualdez called Escudero’s privilege speech a “DDS (Diehard Duterte Supporters) script” after he accused him of anomalies in flood control projects.

According to Romualdez, Escudero did not respond to the serious allegations against him and instead blamed others.

Following this, Romualdez said he will continue to cooperate with any fair investigation to hold those truly responsible for the widespread corruption accountable.

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Here is his full statement:

“I listened to the privilege speech of Sen. Chiz Escudero. With respect, what we heard was not an expose but a DDS script—the same recycled accusations we have long seen on troll pages and social media posts. Walang bago, at wala ring katotohanan.

“Instead of answering the serious questions he himself must face, Sen.
Escudero chose to deflect.

“He did not deny the allegations against him. He did not explain his own role in flood-control kickbacks. Imbes na magpaliwanag, nanisi siya.

“The truth is clear: Sen. Escudero’s speech was not about accountability, but to advance his personal ambitions.

“It was a performance designed to profess loyalty and service to Vice President Sara Duterte, and to position himself as her ally for 2028.

“What is truly served is not the truth, but one’s own interests and political plans.”

“For my part, I will continue to cooperate with every impartial investigation. My record can withstand scrutiny.

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“I have nothing to hide. As for Sen. Escudero, if true accountability is sought, he should explain himself at the precinct.”

Photo/s: Martin Romualdez on Facebook