Romualdez resigns as speaker

Palace: Romualdez won't be spared from flood probe

- DELON PORCALLA and JOSE RODEL CLAPANO

After more than three years of leading the House of Representatives, Martin Romualdez stepped down as speaker yesterday amid public anger over revelations of massive anomalies in flood control projects, with some of his allies in the chamber implicated.

"Leadership also demands difficult choices. Today, I have decided to step down as speaker of the House," an emotional Romualdez – first cousin of President Marcos – said in a farewell speech, to the loud and long applause of his colleagues.

Romualdez stays as congressman of Leyte's first district.

Malacañang welcomed Romualdez's decision to resign to "preserve the integrity" of the House, but stressed he would not be spared from investigation, including by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) formed by the President to look into flood control anomalies.

Elected by 253 members to replace Romualdez as speaker was Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy III.

"If my decision can help restore faith in our institutions, then I offer myself willingly as an example of accountability," said the 61-year-old Romualdez, who heads the dominant Lakas-CMD party, which has 111 members in the chamber.

He stressed that his resignation does not imply admission of guilt.

"Let me be clear: wala akong kasalanan at wala akong itinatago (I have done nothing wrong and I have nothing to hide). Ang tanging layunin ko ay maglingkod at magpabuti ng buhay ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino (My only intention is to serve and uplift the lives of every Filipino). Yet I also know that when questions arise, it is the people's trust that must always come first," Romualdez said.