MY CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR – ROMUALDEZ ON ZALDY CO’S CLAIMS

LEYTE 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez on Saturday called for sobriety amid political tensions over allegations tied to budget insertions and infrastructure projects, saying investigations should proceed strictly on the basis of facts and sworn testimony.

According to Romualdez, he would not engage in a public exchange over the accusations made by his former ally, resigned Ako Bikol party-list representative Zaldy Co.

“My conscience remains clear,” Romualdez said in a press release.

The Leyte solon said no public official, contractor or witness under oath has linked him to wrongdoings since the inquiries began.

The former speaker of the House of Representatives brushed aside the two videos of Co, pointing out that allegations made outside sworn proceedings “do not hold water in the court of law.”

Romualdez also reiterated his trust in the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, Department of Justice and Office of the Ombudsman to evaluate evidence objectively.

He said he would continue to cooperate with the investigation. 

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also brushed off Co’s allegations.

Co, in a video sent to reporters on Friday, admitted to inserting around P100 billion during the bicameral conference committee deliberations for the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), claiming it was done under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s orders.