• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday warned against political machinations orchestrated by former Speaker Martin Romualdez to weaken the Senate as an institution and endanger national security in the latter’s attempt to mislead the public and shield the real masterminds from accountability over the unprecedented scandal involving flood control projects.
In a privilege speech, Escudero called on his colleagues to collectively reject what he called “script and sarswela” designed to bring down the Senate by linking only senators while sparing members of the House of Representatives, who have direct control over the budget in more than 300 districts across the country, including funds intended for infrastructure and flood control projects.
After several Senate Blue Ribbon Committee public hearings, only Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co has been identified by witnesses among House members, while connecting six incumbent and former senators to the controversy, he added.
“For that is what is happening now—selective justice and mob justice. Members of the Senate have been thrown off a cliff and 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,” Escudero said.
According to the veteran legislator, this deliberate campaign of selective justice and political manipulation by Romualdez is undermining the very foundation of the country’s democratic institutions due to the cover-up.
“I will defend myself, Mr. President, against these malicious and false allegations. In fact, I will be filing the necessary and appropriate charges against my accuser. And, with the help of the Almighty, I am confident that I will be vindicated and declared innocent,” Escudero declared.
Escudero, who has served in public office for over 27 years—15 of which were in the Senate—emphasized his unblemished record. “I have neither been accused nor charged with corruption. That is the sterling record which they are trying to tear down. They will not succeed.”
Escudero also questioned the absence of Romualdez and other congressmen from ongoing investigations, despite being named in affidavits and testimonies.
In a statement, he accused Romualdez of sowing discord across sectors to distract the public from his own wrongdoing.
Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Monday described the privilege speech of Senator Escudero as a political maneuver aimed at alignment with Vice President Sara Duterte for the 2028 elections.
“I listened to the privilege speech of Sen. Chiz Escudero. With respect, what we heard was not an exposé but a DDS (Digong Duterte Supporters) script – the same recycled accusations we have on troll pages and social media posts. Walang bago at wala rin katotohanan (Nothing new and nothing true at all),” Romualdez said in a press statement.*
