Speaker denies receiving bribes; perjury eyed vs Discayas

Eleven of the 19 members of the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, tagged by a contractor as having received bribes related to flood control projects have denied the accusation, vowing to file charges in retaliation.

- DELON PORCALLA

Flood project contractor Curlee Discaya's testimony before the Senate Blue Ribbon committee yesterday named the officials who allegedly demanded bribes from him and his wife Sarah.

Romualdez, whose name was allegedly used by the other accused officials, denied any involvement.

"I cannot and will not allow lies and name-dropping to pass unchecked. The claim in the Discaya couple's affidavit that my name was used for commissions is false, malicious and nothing more than name-dropping," the Leyte congressman said.

"Let me be clear: I have nothing to do with, not given any permission nor blessing, to such activities," Romualdez said in Filipino.

"Congress debates and approves the budget. It does not release funds. It does not implement projects." "I say this with all honesty: I have never - and I will never - accept a bribe from anybody.

I will not allow falsehoods to tarnish my integrity or the institution I lead. Under my watch, we will clean the system, punish the guilty and protect the people's money," the Speaker said.

Co breaks silence

Rep. Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol party-list, who is currently in the US seeking medical treatment, also categorically denied allegations that he received payoffs.

"I vehemently deny all the baseless and irresponsible accusations made against me.

These unsubstantiated claims, which attempt to implicate me, are not only hearsay, but are also politically motivated designed to mislead the public and deflect accountability," Co said.