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PULITIKA ang nakikitang dahilan ni former House Speaker Martin Romualdez sa likod ng testimonya ng isang retiradong sundalong naghatid ng male-maletang pera sa bahay ng kongresista.
Sa isang pahayag, pinabulaanan ni Romualdez ang mga paratang na nag-uugnay sa kanya sa flood control kotong.
Buwelta pa ni Romualdez, hindi niya palalamoasin ang tinawag niyang mapanglinlang na salaysay ng retiradong sundalo.
“I will not allow these perjurious statements to pass unchallenged. Hindi ko ito palalampasin,” wika ng Leyte lawmaker.
Pag-amin ng dating lider ng Kamara, maging siya’y nabigla sa narinig na salaysay ng testigong inulutang ni Senador Rodante Marcoleta sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.
“That several pieces of luggage supposedly containing money were never delivered to a residence associated with me,” giit ni 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,” dugtong niya.
Imposible din aniyang may magpunta sinasabing bahay niya sa McKinley noong Disyembre 2024 dahil Enero ng nasabing taon pa ay isinailalim iyon sa renovation at mga contruction workers lamang ang naroon.
“Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus—false in one thing, false in everything,” bulalas ni Romualdez sa salaysay hinggil sa pag-deliver sa kanya ng ‘basura’ o milyones na pera.
“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.”
Handa rin aniya siya sumalang sa pagdinig hinggil sa naturang kontrobersya.
“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.”
“I remained silent out of respect for the process, but now that my name has been dragged into the controversy, I will fight back— not with rhetoric, but with evidence,” sambit ni 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,” pahabol ng dating House Speaker. (ROMER R. BUTUYAN)
