Romualdez hails Tito Sotto’s Senate win while criticizing ousted Chiz Escudero

MANILA, Philippines —  After the Senate ousted Sen. Chiz Escudero as its president, minority leader and former challenger Sen. Tito Sotto took over the post. House Speaker Martin Romualdez congratulated Sotto on his new role, but offered no thanks to Escudero.

In a statement on Monday, September 8, Romualdez said he is "eager to work side by side" with Sotto and the Senate under its new leadership.

"Sa panahong ito, higit nating kailangan ang pagkakaisa ng Senado at Kamara para maihatid ang ginhawa sa taumbayan," he added. 

(At this time, the unity of the Senate and the House is more important than ever to bring relief to the people.)

Romualdez even expressed confidence that the House will "remain a strong partner" of his cousin, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., with Sotto at the helm.

The House speaker's remarks come as he himself faces questions on the effectiveness of his leadership of the lower chamber and the flood control anomalies allegedly linked to his former appropriations chair, Rep. Elizaldy Co, and other House members. 

Chiz takes credit; Romualdez calls it unfair

With the Senate replacing Escudero and some members, according to Sen. JV Ejercito, tired of the repeated House-Senate clashes, Escudero saved a few words for himself to recognize his own accomplishments as Senate president.

One of these, he said, was the Discaya family’s so-called “bombshell” list, which named Romualdez and Co as among those who allegedly benefited from kickbacks.

He also cited Rep. Toby Tiangco's (Navotas, Lone District) testimony at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's hearing, where he revealed an unconfirmed document claiming Co allocated P13 billion in budget insertions in the 2025 budget.

RELATED: Zaldy Co proponent of P13.8 billion in budget insertions, says Tiangco

The Discaya's list named more than 17 lawmakers allegedly receiving kickbacks from government flood control projects.

"Nasabi na rin po, Ginoong Pangulo, ang the-name-that-cannot-be-mentioned — ang pangalan ni Speaker Romualdez at Congressman Zaldy Co sa pamamagitan ng hearing kanina pong hapon," he said during the Senate plenary.  

(It was also mentioned, Mr. President, the name-that-cannot-be-mentioned — the names of Speaker Romualdez and Congressman Zaldy Co — during the hearing earlier this afternoon.)

Romualdez called Escudero “unfair” for claiming such an achievement that "relied on unfounded claims." He said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings were used to accuse individuals of crimes with no evidence, instead of unearthing the truth. 

"And worse, the accusations came from contractors themselves — those already under investigation and admitting responsibility for ghost projects," he said. 

"True accountability rests on facts, not on innuendo. Ang sabi-sabi ay hindi ebidensiya, at ang paninira ay hindi kailanman magiging hustisya," Romualdez added. 

(Rumors are not evidence, and defamation will never be justice.)

More than half of the House lawmakers tagged in the alleged kickbacks received from the Discaya family have already rejected the construction magnate's claims, challenging them to establish proof and threatening libel charges. 

RELATED: Which House lawmakers denied ties to kickback scheme in gov't projects?

Tension since impeachment talks

The rift between Romualdez and Escudero dates back to Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment, when the Senate, under Escudero’s leadership, delayed proceedings for about six months and ultimately decided not to hold a trial after the Supreme Court ruled the impeachment unconstitutional.

The case, however, is still under a motion for reconsideration at the High Court, meaning the ruling was not yet final when the Senate voted against the trial.

During this time, Escudero accused the House of orchestrating a “demolition job” against him, while the lower chamber repeatedly urged the Senate to “do its job” and proceed with the trial in accordance with the Constitution.

RELATED: House, Senate trade barbs over Sara Duterte's archived impeachment