Philippine Lawmaker Resigns Amid Corruption Investigations

Martin Romualdez, the Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, announced his resignation on Wednesday as investigations into a growing corruption scandal intensify. This development follows the resignation of Francis Escudero, the Senate president, less than two weeks earlier. Romualdez, who is a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos, stated that he wants to allow a newly formed investigatory body to operate without “undue influence.”

The scandal has gained traction due to allegations surrounding so-called ghost infrastructure projects. These projects have attracted significant public ire since they were highlighted by President Marcos in his state of the nation address in July 2023, which followed weeks of severe flooding across the country. Thousands of citizens are expected to participate in the upcoming “Trillion Peso March” in Manila, named for a Greenpeace estimate that suggests approximately ₱1 trillion (around $18 billion) has been misappropriated from climate-related initiatives since 2023.

During his resignation announcement, Romualdez addressed his fellow lawmakers, stating, “The issues surrounding certain infrastructure projects have raised questions that weigh not only upon me, but upon this institution we all serve.” He expressed that the longer he remained in office, the heavier the burden of scrutiny became.

The scandal escalated last week when the owners of a construction firm accused nearly 30 members of the House and officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways of receiving cash payments. Romualdez was specifically mentioned during hearings as someone who approved funding that bypassed the usual House oversight.

In a morning radio interview, Congressman Ronaldo Puno, a close ally of Romualdez, revealed that the Speaker felt the controversy was “too much” and opted to “step aside to face these allegations.”

In response to the situation, President Marcos announced on Monday that former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes would lead a three-member commission to investigate the last decade of flood control projects. The Philippines has a well-documented history of corruption involving public funds, with many high-ranking politicians facing minimal consequences for their actions.

Escudero’s resignation last week followed similar scrutiny, as he was linked to one of the country’s key flood control contractors. He characterized the allegations against him as a “demolition job” aimed at forcing him out of his leadership role in the Senate.

As the investigations continue, both the House and Senate are under heightened scrutiny regarding their oversight of public funds. The unfolding events highlight a persistent issue in the Philippines, where corruption scandals have historically plagued governance, often with little accountability for those involved.