IN response to Senator Chiz Escudero’s privilege speech, Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez issued a statement dismissing it as a rehashed and self-serving attempt to deflect from his own issues.
“I listened to the privilege speech of Sen. Chiz Escudero. With respect, what we heard was not an exposé but a DDS script — the same recycled accusations we have long seen on troll pages and social media posts. Walang bago, at wala ring katotohanan (Nothing is new, and there is no truth),” Romualdez stated.
Romualdez accused Escudero of deflecting from serious questions he must answer, alleging that the senator did not deny allegations against him or explain his role in flood-control kickbacks. “Instead of explaining, he blamed others,” Romualdez said.
He further asserted that Escudero’s speech was not about accountability but about advancing his personal ambitions. “It was a performance designed to profess loyalty and service to Vice President Sara Duterte, and to position himself as her ally for 2028. Ang tunay na pinagsisilbihan ay hindi ang katotohanan, kundi ang sariling interes at plano sa politika (What is truly being served is not the truth, but his own interests and political plans),” Romualdez stated.
Romualdez concluded by affirming his commitment to cooperating with impartial investigations and stating that his record can withstand scrutiny. He challenged Escudero to address the allegations against him in the appropriate venue, stating, “As for Sen. Escudero, kung tunay na pananagutan ang hanap, sa presinto na siya magpaliwanag (If Sen. Escudero is truly seeking accountability, he should explain himself at the precinct).”
metrosundaily
