Tiangco: Flood anomalies, insertions did in Romualdez

The flood control project controversy and questionable insertions in the 2025 budget fueled the ouster of former House speaker Martin Romualdez, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said.

- By MARK ERNEST VILLEZA

In an interview with The STAR’s “Truth on the Line” on Thursday, Tiangco said unrest in the House of Representatives started even before President Marcos delivered his State of the Nation Address last July 28, but the leadership crisis worsened when anomalies in flood control projects came to light.

“People saw the need for a change in leadership,” he said.

Tiangco recalled that concerns first arose during the bicameral conference on the 2025 national budget, when lawmakers questioned cuts in allocations for health, education and big-ticket infrastructure projects.

These were later shifted to unprogrammed appropriations and insertions that raised red flags.

He cited P13.8 billion worth of projects linked to then-appropriations chair Rep. Zaldy Co, which were allegedly funneled into districts that already had huge allocations.

"Some congressmen told me they never requested those projects. They were surprised to find them there," Tiangco said.