Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Philippines Lawmaker Martin Romualdez Charged Over Alleged Flood Control Kickbacks
Martin Romualdez, a Philippine lawmaker and former House speaker, has been charged in a corruption case.
Investigators say he and others may have taken money from flood control projects.
The alleged amount is about $118 million.
These projects were meant to protect communities from floods and typhoons.
Nearly 10,000 projects started since 2022 are being examined.
Some were allegedly poorly built, too expensive, or not built at all.
Romualdez has denied doing anything wrong.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says the investigation should include everyone, even relatives.
Former Philippine House Speaker Martin Romualdez faces plunder charges over allegedly receiving kickbacks from flood control projects.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the alleged transactions involved 7.4 billion pesos, or about $118 million.
Nearly 10,000 flood control projects launched since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office are under scrutiny.
Authorities allege some projects were substandard, overpriced, or never built, while Romualdez denies wrongdoing.
President Marcos has created an independent commission and said relatives would not be exempt from investigation.
- Who
- Philippine lawmaker and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former lawmaker Zaldy Co, and other officials and construction executives are implicated; the charges were filed by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla's office.
- What
- Romualdez and others face plunder charges over alleged kickbacks from flood control projects involving 7.4 billion pesos, or approximately $118 million.
- When
- The charges were reported on Monday, September 7; the articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- The charges were filed at the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court in the Philippines.
- Why
- Authorities are investigating alleged corruption involving flood control projects, many of which were reportedly substandard, overpriced, or not built.
Authorities’ Allegations
Romualdez’s Position
Alleged kickbacks
Authorities’ Allegations
The Ombudsman alleges that Romualdez and others pocketed money from flood control projects, with the alleged transactions totaling 7.4 billion pesos.
Romualdez’s Position
Romualdez has denied any wrongdoing; the article does not provide further details of his response.
Scope of the investigation
Authorities’ Allegations
Authorities say the case is only the beginning and that additional plunder and money-laundering charges may be filed.
Romualdez’s Position
Romualdez’s denial challenges the allegations, while the charges remain claims to be addressed through the anti-graft court process.
- Alleged amount
- 7.4 billion pesos, approximately $118 million
- Main accused
- Martin Romualdez, a Philippine lawmaker and former House speaker
- Charge
- Plunder
- Projects under scrutiny
- Nearly 10,000 flood control projects undertaken since Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office
- Alleged project problems
- Some projects were reportedly substandard, overpriced, or not built
- Investigating office
- Office of the Ombudsman, led in the article by Jesus Crispin Remulla
- Presidential response
- Ferdinand Marcos Jr. established an independent commission and said relatives would not be spared