Chris Tan, who recently defended House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the ₱700-billion flood-control controversy, has drawn attention for his conflicting stance—openly backing a politician accused of corruption while praising former Vice President Leni Robredo Robredo for her integrity and leadership.
In a Bilyonaryo interview with Atty. Karen Jimeno, Tan said there was “no direct evidence yet” linking Romualdez to the alleged kickbacks from infrastructure allocations. “If there’s direct evidence linking former Speaker Martin Romualdez to the flood-control issue, tapos hindi siya naprosecute, then yes, it will damage the credibility of the investigation. But if there’s no direct evidence, which there has none at this point, none yet, then it should be okay,” Tan stated.
Jimeno pointed out that high-ranking officials rarely handle bribes themselves, but Tan stood firm. “Kasi talaga namang pag may bribery, hindi na nga talaga sila umaharap. But there has to still be evidence kahit papano. Gumawa sila ng paraan,” he said. His remarks came as Romualdez faced mounting accusations before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee involving unprecedented levels kickbacks, budget insertions, and confidential fund diversions—issues that remain unaddressed due to “interparliamentary courtesy.”
In a podcast with Richard Heydarian — “author of books no one reads,” as described by The Daily Tribune — Tan tripled down on his defense of Romualdez, insisting that the Speaker had been unfairly implicated without solid proof. “Remember that everything you’ve heard in the hearings, okay? There is the implication that Romualdez is kadamay dito, pero there is no direct evidence that ever linked him to the flood control issue,” he said.
Tan went on to praise Romualdez’s decision to step down from his post, calling it an act of humility and responsibility. “Kaya sa akin, ano? It was a good move at may delikadesa naman ‘to. Just step down from Romualdez. Can you imagine na ito? Nobody asked him to resign yet, but he did it out of delicadeza and maybe to be less of a burden to the administration of BBM. I could use that respect to that,” Tan said.
He compared Romualdez to other controversial figures, arguing that the Speaker’s case lacked the direct evidence seen in others. “Zaldy Co is a big difference. Kumpara kay Romualdez, kasi Zaldy Co may direct link ka na kita with Sunwest and his other high-tone corporations. Even yung anak niya dine-date si Senator Risa Hontiveros’ staff, si Lubiano. So iba ‘yun, but with Romualdez you don’t see any direct links. You only hear hearsay from the discussion, with no direct proof—and even they don’t wanna say with certainty when it was during the hearing controlled by the DBM.”
Tan ended the discussion by saying, “I’m just saying what he did earned my respect,” seemingly reinforcing his view that Romualdez’s actions showed integrity, not guilt.
Broadcast journalist Karen Davila, meanwhile, remarked in a separate video that the alleged corruption linked to Romualdez “was worse than in previous administrations,” citing the overwhelming scale of the controversy. She pointed to reports of “ostentatiousness and extreme wealth,” including the use of private jets and multiple luxury properties allegedly tied to the Speaker—calling it “a whole other level of alleged corruption.” Her statements were her own observations and not part of any interview with Chris Tan.
Romualdez is at the center of a massive Department of Public Works and Highways corruption scandal involving the alleged ₱241-billion insertion into the 2025 national budget. He faces 12 counts of graft and 12 counts of falsification of legislative documents for allegedly using his influence over the bicameral committee to redirect funds to questionable projects, mostly flood control initiatives. Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan admitted his agency had “no control or oversight” over these allocations, fueling calls for Romualdez’s preventive suspension amid fears of interference and witness tampering.
Despite his defense of Romualdez, Tan has also openly admired former Vice President Leni Robredo. In a YouTube video posted in 2022, he admitted that while he wasn’t voting for her, he believed Robredo was “a complete package out of all the other presidential candidates,” praising her competence, integrity, and leadership. In another video, he highlighted her “strength and decisiveness,” calling her a leader capable of standing firm in her convictions.
The most compelling part of Tan’s statements about Romualdez remains his insistence on evidence: “If there’s direct evidence and he isn’t prosecuted, then yes, it will damage the credibility of the investigation.” Yet, his defense of Romualdez while praising Robredo’s public persona presents a stark political contrast—standing by a figure accused of breathtaking degrees systemic corruption while admiring one regarded by a significant sector of society for her honesty.
