House Speaker Martin Romualdez and several lawmakers are facing criminal and graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged unauthorized budget insertions amounting to P241 billion in the 2025 national budget.
The complaint was filed by Davao del Norte 1st District Congressman and former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, and PDP-Laban senatorial candidates Atty. Jimmy Bondoc and Atty. Raul Lambino.
They accuse Romualdez and other officials of falsifying legislative documents and engaging in corrupt practices.
P241 Billion Budget Insertions Spark Criminal Complaint
Named in the complaint are House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, former House Appropriations Chair and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, and Acting Appropriations Chair Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo. Two unidentified individuals, referred to as “John Does,” are also included.
The allegations cite violations of Article 170 of the Revised Penal Code (falsification of public documents) and Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
The complaint claims that blank spaces in the bicameral conference report were filled with P241 billion in allocations without proper plenary ratification.
Former Speaker Alvarez Calls for Accountability
Former Speaker Alvarez posted on social media, alleging that the insertions bypassed due process.
“The blank spaces in the Bicam Report turned into Php 241 billion in the national budget even though they did not go through ratification in the plenary of Congress. (Yung mga blangko sa Bicam Report, naging Php 241 bilyon sa national budget kahit na hindi dumaan sa ratification sa plenaryo ng Congress.)”
He also called for action, stating, “There are already too many problems, and Filipinos have been battered and shortchanged for too long. It’s time to fight back. Let’s do this. #ForTheNation (Napakarami na ang mga problema, at masyado nang bugbog at lugi ang mga Pilipino. Kailangan nang resbak. Gawin natin ito. #ParaSaBayan)”
Alvarez further warned about the dangers of filing the complaint, emphasizing the need for public vigilance.
“Powerful people have been charged, and the path ahead is risky. Let us pray for those who had the courage to file the case to hold the wrongdoers accountable, no matter who they are, because #EnoughIsEnough #StopTheAbuse
(Malalaking mga tao ang kinasuhan, at delikado ang landas. Ipagdasal po natin ang mga naglakas ng loob magsampa ng kaso para panagutin ang mga nagkamali, kahit sino pa sila, dahil #SobraNa #TamaNa),” stated in the post.
The Office of the Ombudsman is expected to investigate the allegations. If found guilty, the accused lawmakers could face removal from office, disqualification from public service, and imprisonment.
