Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has implicated former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez in alleged irregularities surrounding the government’s flood control projects, claiming it is impossible for the Speaker to be unaware of the activities of his subordinates.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Magalong said that former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co should not be the only one held accountable in the controversy. He stressed that other officials, including Romualdez, may also have a hand in the supposed anomaly.
"Nagsusumikap kaming tumulong para talagang makulong, kailangang may makulong. Hindi lang dapat si Zaldy Co ang dapat makulong dito. Isa na siguro diyan si Speaker Romualdez na dapat makulong diyan. Kasi imposibleng hindi niya alam ang ginagawa ng mga tao niya,” Magalong said.
The mayor, who previously served as a special adviser to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), urged a thorough investigation, warning that corruption in Congress is far more widespread than the public realizes.
"Ang daming scheme. Sa loob ng Kongreso, nagbebentahan diyan. Kung malapit kay Zaldy Co, presyong kapatid, 15 percent kukunin mo. Ang malalapit sa kaniya, kukuha sa kaniya" he revealed.
Magalong further suggested that Romualdez may be working to prevent Co from returning to the Philippines, fearing that his presence could expose more details about the scheme.
"Alangan naman siya lang ang nakinabang hindi alam ng boss niya? Ganun na ba kabobo ‘yung mga tao na ‘yan," he added.
"Siguro si Speaker Romualdez, sisiguraduhing hindi na siya [Zaldy Co] babalik otherwise maiipit siya lalo,” Magalong added.
Magalong emphasized that accountability should reach the highest levels, reiterating that lawmakers cannot simply feign ignorance.
"Ang tatalino ng mga ‘yan kaya nga sila naging congressman, kaya nga sila naging speaker tapos nagmamaang-maangan sila na wala silang ginawa," he added.
As of now, Romualdez has not yet issued a statement addressing Magalong’s allegations.
On Tuesday, the Palace said that the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that it has requested Interpol to issue a Blue Notice for Co.
Several resource persons during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing have linked Co and Romualdez to alleged kickbacks and questionable budget allocations tied to anomalous flood control projects.
