KINONDENA ni Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez ang gawa-gawa umanong testimonya ng isang “coached witness” sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee upang maiugnay siya sa kickback mula sa maanomalyang flood control project.

“I was deeply surprised to hear the allegation raised against me today before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee ― that several pieces of luggage supposedly containing money were ever delivered to a residence associated with me,” ani Romualdez.

“The so-called testimony of Sen. [Rodante] Marcoleta’s witness is an outright and complete fabrication ― nothing more than a desperate attempt to link me to supposed kickbacks where none exist. Pilit na pilit,” dagdag pa niya.

Sinabi ni Romualdez na malinaw na kasinungalingan ang sinabi ng saksi na nagdala ito ng mga bag ng pera sa kanyang bahay sa McKinley Street sa Forbes Park, Taguig.

“The witness’ claim that deliveries were made to McKinley beginning December 2024, imposible iyan. That property has been under renovation since January 2024 and was unoccupied except for construction workers. Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus ― false in one thing, false in everything,” sabi ni Romualdez.

“This is clearly political and the product of coaching. I will not allow these perjurious statements to pass unchallenged. Hindi ko ito palalampasin,” dagdag pa nito.

Iginiit ni Romualdez na wala itong tinanggap na kickback o kita mula sa mga infrastructure project.

“I repeat: I have never received or benefited from kickbacks in any infrastructure project. I have never authorized, instructed, or allowed anyone to engage in any conduct that would betray the people or taint my name,” sabi ni Romualdez.

Binigyang-diin ni Romualdez ang kanyang kahandaan na sumailalim sa imbestigasyon.

“I welcome a fair, transparent, and impartial investigation to expose these falsehoods. I voluntarily resigned as Speaker of the House of Representatives precisely to demonstrate my full support for the inquiry into flood control issues,” aniya.

Sinabi ni Romualdez na siya ay nanahimik bilang pagbibigay galang sa proseso ng isinasagawang imbestigasyon, ngunit ngayong nadawit na ang kanyang pangalan sa kontrobersiya ay hindi umano niya ito maaaring palagpasin.

“I will fight back ― not with rhetoric, but with evidence,” ani Romualdez. “Kahit kailan, hindi ako nagnakaw ng pondo ng bayan. Hindi ko kailangan ang perang galing sa masama.”

“To the Filipino people, I give you this solemn assurance: I will never betray your trust,” dagdag pa nito.