In a significant political development, allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte have filed graft and falsification complaints against House Speaker Martin Romualdez and other key lawmakers. The complaints, lodged before the Office of the Ombudsman, allege unauthorized insertions amounting to approximately ₱241 billion in the 2025 national budget.
The Allegations
The complainants, led by former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, along with Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, PDP-Laban senatorial candidate Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, and Citizens Crime Watch president Diego Magpantay, accuse Romualdez, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, former House Appropriations Committee Chairperson and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, and Marikina 2nd District Representative Stella Quimbo of falsifying legislative documents. They claim that these lawmakers inserted substantial amounts into the 2025 national budget without proper authorization, leading to 12 counts each of falsification and graft charges.
Details of the Complaint
According to Atty. Topacio, the alleged insertions occurred 12 times, as evidenced by discrepancies in the bicameral conference committee report. He emphasized that the approved report contained zero allocations in certain sections, which were later altered to include significant sums. Topacio stated, "You can’t put zero and make it ₱90 billion or ₱80 billion, even ₱10,000 or ₱1. It’s just zero. So we counted 12 times of such insertion."
Response from the Accused
House Majority Leader Dalipe responded to the allegations by asserting that the passage of the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) was a constitutional duty of Congress and not an act of wrongdoing. He dismissed the complaints as politically motivated, especially given the proximity to the upcoming elections. Dalipe stated, "The approval of the 2025 GAB is not an act of wrongdoing but a constitutional duty of Congress."
Context and Implications
This legal action underscores the escalating tensions within the Philippine political landscape, particularly between allies of former President Duterte and the current House leadership under Speaker Romualdez. The rift has been evident in recent months, with disputes over budget allocations and allegations of corruption.
Notably, in November 2024, Vice President Sara Duterte publicly threatened to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and Speaker Romualdez assassinated if she were killed, highlighting the deepening divisions within the country's leadership.
Furthermore, Vice President Duterte has faced multiple impeachment complaints, with the most recent filed on February 5, 2025, accusing her of corruption, plotting to assassinate the President, involvement in extrajudicial killings, and incitement to insurrection. This complaint garnered the support of 215 members of the House of Representatives, including Speaker Romualdez.
Looking Ahead
The filing of these graft and falsification complaints adds another layer to the complex political dynamics in the Philippines. As the 2025 elections approach, the outcomes of these legal battles and the internal conflicts within the government will significantly influence the country's political trajectory.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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