By Zaldy De Layola
MANILA – Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and several lawmakers of the House of Representatives denied allegations raised by contractors Pacifico Discaya and Cezarah Discaya at a Senate hearing on Monday.
“I cannot and will not allow lies and name-dropping to pass unchecked. The claim in the Discaya couple’s affidavit that my name was used for commissions is false, malicious and nothing more than name-dropping,” Romualdez said in a statement.
He stressed that Congress only approves the budget and plays no role in releasing funds or implementing projects, including those carried out by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The Speaker warned that anyone who invoked his name for money did so without his knowledge and must be held accountable.
“If anyone invoked my name, they did so without my knowledge and without my consent. I have never, and I will never, accept a bribe from anybody. I have been blessed with the trust of the Filipino people. I do not need — and will never allow myself — to be corrupted by money that does not belong to me,” he said.
Romualdez vowed accountability for anyone exploiting his name, whether in or out of government.
“I will not allow falsehoods to tarnish my integrity or the institution I lead. Under my watch, we will clean the system, punish the guilty, and protect the people’s money,” he said.
All other House members denied the Discaya couple’s accusations.
Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo strongly denied the “malicious and false allegations” linking him to anomalous bidding.
“I was never involved in any bidding nor in selecting contractors for DPWH projects. In this regard it is quite clear that these accusations are nothing more than an attempt to divert attention,” he said in a separate statement.
Quezon City 1st District Rep. Juan Carlos Atayde, also an actor, likewise “categorically” denied the allegation that he benefited from any contractor. His father, businessman Art Atayde, was also mentioned by the Discayas.
“I have never dealt with them. Hindi po totoo ang mga akusasyon na ito (These accusations are false). I have never used my position for personal gain and I never will. I will avail of all remedies under the law to clear my name and hold accountable those who spread these falsehoods,” he said.
Marikina City 1st District Rep. Marcelino Teodoro said it was clear that he was being implicated after he exposed the double funding of DPWH projects in the 2026 National Expenditure Program.
“Malinaw pa sa sikat ng araw na ito ay diversionary tactics ng mga sindikato para malihis sa tunay na issue ng corruption and anomalies sa flood control projects ng DPWH. Walang katotohanan ang mga paratang ng mga Discaya. Isa lang itong demolition job — a cheap shot para siraan ako (It is clear as day that this is just a diversionary tactic by the syndicates to divert the issue from the real issue of corruption and anomalies in flood control projects of the DPWH. There is no truth tot eh allegations by the Discayas. This is just a demolition job — a cheap shot to ruin me),” he said.
The former Marikina mayor added that he was not a congressman yet when the anomalous projects were implemented.
“With this, I am now contemplating on filing charges against the Discayas for lying and for trying to besmirch my good reputation,” Teodoro added.
Meanwhile, former lawmaker and now City of San Jose del Monte (Bulacan) Mayor Florida Robes called out Pacifico Discaya for involving her.
“Kitang-kita naman ng marami kung gaano na kaganda ang San Jose del Monte ngayon. Walang ghost project dito at pang-world class ang aming mga infrastructure (Many have seen how beautiful San Jose del Monte is now. There are no ghost projects here and our infrastructures are world-class),” she said.
Robes said she will file a libel case against Pacifico Discaya. (PNA)
